Director: Ryan Fleck
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Anthony Mackie and Jeff Lima
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors in Hollywood have created a legacy as lasting as Ryan Gosling. Ever since his recognition in the 1990’s, Gosling has made many memorable movies. Whether it’s space scavengers, jazz players or stunt performers, Gosling has portrayed many bold characters. Arguably, Gosling’s finest strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare actors which has always had the talent for stealing the show in supporting roles with limited screen time. Even when he isn’t the main focus of a film, Gosling has always left a lasting impression. Through a strong ability to portray characters which are compelling, Gosling has built a legacy which is lasting. An actor with bold commitment to his craft, Gosling has become a celebrated icon in entertainment. Throughout an enduring career, Gosling has made several unforgettable films that are definitely worth talking about without a doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Gosling and adore all movies that he has made in his career. However, “Half Nelson” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2006, Ryan Fleck’s movie offered a profound depiction of drug addicted teachers. Packed with breathtaking production, engaging story and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the finest films ever made about teachers. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Ryan Gosling, who plays a drug addicted teacher whose life is declining. Ultimately, what makes “Half Nelson” a masterpiece is its bold appeal. Unlike most movies about teachers, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. An engaging masterpiece about teachers that are inspiring, there are countless reasons why “Half Nelson” is a film that is worth absolutely seeing.
“Half Nelson” tells the story of a teacher with painful drug addiction that struggles to care for children. Ryan Gosling portrays Dan Dunne, an idealistic teacher with a strong dedication to his profession. Dan has always excelled at doing his job of caring for students in classes involving intense pressure. However, Dan has always had a secret addiction towards drugs of which students aren’t aware which causes danger. Dan has always had been successful in hiding his cruel drug addiction from students in his school. When his tormented student Drey (Shareeka Epps) makes a grim discovery of his addiction, Dan is forced to question whether it is possible to engage in drug consumption. As the odds become stacked against his favour, Dan soon begins to wonder whether it’s truly possible for him to anymore become a strong teacher.
Ryan Fleck is a newcomer towards stories of teachers which are tragic. Before he directed “Half Nelson”, Fleck had never made a movie about teachers that experience tension. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture lives of teachers with drug addiction facing adversity, but he succeeded immensely. Using stunning cinematography, Fleck captures a teacher on a journey to find his identity. Emulating Peter Weir’s “Dead Poets Society”, Fleck effectively uses montages to capture a professor upon a journey to find his identity. For instance, the montages elevate the teaching scene. During this unforgettable scene, Dan seeks to give his students a lesson in a state of drug addiction. Through stunning montages, Fleck creates a strong portrait of teachers which is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in films. As Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land” suggested, montages enhance musicals. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through stunning visuals, Fleck captures the hardships teachers that suffer from grim drug addiction are often experiencing.
Another strong aspect of “Half Nelson” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Fleck’s decision to shoot the film in real life American schools is risky but it works immensely. For instance, the school backdrop elevates the drug discovery scene. During this memorable scene, Dan is humiliated when he is caught using drugs red-handed by Drey in the school bathroom. Through school settings, Fleck creates a bold portrait of teachers that’s compelling. Furthermore, the commemorated musical score is magnificent. Kevin Drew’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the movie tense at smoother capturing the burden professors bear. Through phenomenal production, Fleck captures the lives of conflicted inner city teachers which have addiction.
Storytelling is one of the central reasons why “Half Nelson” is a film about teachers that is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and deftly uses dramatic monologues to capture hardships which school teachers are facing. Throughout the movie, Dan delivers profound dramatic monologues expressing his views on his grim drug addiction. For instance, dramatic monologues elevate the drug revelation scene. During this unforgettable scene, Dan reveals his honest opinion on his drug addiction to his student that causes tension. Through strong dramatic monologues, Fleck creates a portrait of teachers that audiences can easily relate to. Dramatic monologues are tricky techniques to use in most movies. As Nick Cassavetes’ “The Notebook” demonstrated, monologues elevate romantic movies about doomed lovers. George Clooney’s “The Ides of March” demonstrated monologues enhance commemorated political films. However, it works tremendously in this movie. Through a powerful screenplay, Fleck captures teachers facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Ryan Gosling delivers one of his best career performances as Dan. Gosling first earned appreciation for portraying doomed lovers in romantic films. With “Half Nelson”, however, the actor took on his most complex role. It is not easy to portray a teacher afflicted with a painful drug addiction experiencing adversity but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most tricky role. Gosling has always excelled at playing emotional heroes under pressure, and “Half Nelson” showcased his strengths as an actor. With riveting expressions, he captures angst, depression and grief of a teacher that suffers from severe addiction. It’s a bold performance from one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Ryan Gosling, the supporting cast is also amazing and worthy of recognition. Shareeka Epps is spectacular, capturing the dilemma of a teenage girl that struggles to cope with her teacher’s drug addiction that causes trauma. Anthony Mackie is magnificent, capturing the authority of a protective father that struggles to raise his daughter in a doomed crime ridden city. Lastly, Jeff Lima merits appreciation. As a concerned teacher, he brings an air of tension to the movie.
Finally, “Half Nelson” would earn appreciation of everyone for capturing teachers that face tension. Unlike most movies about teachers, the movie tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. It discusses strong themes including anxiety, drug addiction and mental health that would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be familiar with the lives of teachers to appreciate. It delivers a meaningful message about addiction that would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “Half Nelson” is one of those rare movies about teachers everyone will adore.
Fans of Ryan Gosling will definitely appreciate “Half Nelson” and so will movie-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A riveting drama about addiction, it honours an actor deserving celebration.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about conflicted high school teachers that are drug addicted, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that hasn’t lost his abilities to leave audiences captivating manufacturing unforgettable movies which definitely without a doubt deserve to be appreciated.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 