Rating: Sizzling Popcorn
“What is history?…History is the study of change over time and what’s change? It’s this. It’s opposites. It’s two things that push against each other in opposite directions.”
Dan Dunn (Ryan Gosling), Half Nelson
Dan Dunn is a white schoolteacher and basketball coach who is struggling with a drug addiction. When his African American student, Drey, catches him using drugs in the locker room after a game, they begin to develop a unique relationship between themselves and Frank, a local drug dealer.
The independent film released by THINKFilm, Half Nelson, stars Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps and Anthony Mackie. Ryan Gosling gives an excellent and gritty performance for which he received a nomination for an Academy Award for his role as Dan Dunn.
“We’re always changing, and it’s important to know that there are changes you can’t control but that there are others you can.”
Dan Dunn (Ryan Gosling), Half Nelson
Have you ever found yourself caught in a “Half Nelson” (a wrestling move)…caught in an uncomfortable position and struggling to get out of it…whether it be a career, relationship or addiction? In Half Nelson, Dan Dunn is struggling with a drug addiction. He wants to change but gives up because nothing seems to work for him. The themes of change, opposition and turning point resonate throughout the film. In the opening scene, we see the contrast between the soothing humming and the buzzing alarm. Another contrast is when Dan is teaching his students about change, opposition and turning points while he is personally struggling and giving up on his own addictions.
I really like the soundtrack, which features Juno Award winning Canadian indie rock group, Broken Social Scene. The producers really wanted Broken Social Scene to play more songs, but the indie rock group was over the film’s budget.
Although it might have a dark nature, Half Nelson is a great movie to watch, especially for Ryan Gosling’s Academy Award nominated performance! If you really pay attention to the movie, you’ll notice all the changes, oppositions and turning points.
Release Date: August 11, 2006
3 Comments, Comment or Ping
Jaden @ Screenwriting for Hollywood
I put this movie on and was bored out of my mind. It starts off painfully slow. I didn’t make it all the way through, which almost never happens to me. Also, Ryan is one of my favorite actors. I got the screener through SAG, so I will give it a second chance under your recommendation, since I still have it.
Jun 13th, 2008
Jan @ tMF
I think many of us could probably say we’ve been caught in a “Half Nelson” sometime in our lives.
It’s terrible but I have yet to see Half Nelson, but determined that I will, cause I really want to see this. I’m a huge fan of Ryan Gosling’s acting, and believed he deserved his Oscar nom for this role.These type of dark dramatic movies like this I don’t shy away from at all–I prefer them to be honest.
Jul 1st, 2008
admin
I’m the same way, Jan. I rather movies that are real rather than the fake cliche movies that most studios put out.
Jul 1st, 2008
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