- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00005JP83
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Demob Happy
Format:DVD
Half Nelson tells the story of an idealistic young teacher Dan, unable to break his cycle of cocaine and crack abuse. Labouring under the delusion that he will finish an illustrated children's book on 'dialectics', he teaches history at a run-down innercity school. Bringing left-wing theory into his lessons on the civil rights movement, his classes comprise predominately black teenagers from a poor suburb. When he has the sobreity to give them, that is; throughout the film he is increasingly unable to function with any kind of clarity.
Early in the film he is found in a locker room cubicle high on crack by one of his students Drey, and a tacit understanding is reached between them. She, whose brother has been incarcerated from involvement in the drug trade, can see how crack is devestating her community, but is still allured by the success of 'Frank', a drug dealing "family friend". Frank gradually enrolls her in his business; drugs providing her with a potential but probably ephemeral means of escape from the squalor of her broken home. For Dan, the escape is from the burden of completing his book, and from turning his political ideals into affirmative action. His inertia and drug-addled stupour are shown in contrast to footage of highly impassioned speeches from the civil rights movement, calling on people to throw themselves down on the machinery of the system to grind it to a halt. Decades after the civil rights movement, many people in the black community are still caught up in the prison system, or denied opportunities to further themselves socially; but Dan is increasingly aware how little he can do about it. His classes on the dialectics of change through opposition, start to sound hollow when there is so little hope for his students.... Read more ›
Early in the film he is found in a locker room cubicle high on crack by one of his students Drey, and a tacit understanding is reached between them. She, whose brother has been incarcerated from involvement in the drug trade, can see how crack is devestating her community, but is still allured by the success of 'Frank', a drug dealing "family friend". Frank gradually enrolls her in his business; drugs providing her with a potential but probably ephemeral means of escape from the squalor of her broken home. For Dan, the escape is from the burden of completing his book, and from turning his political ideals into affirmative action. His inertia and drug-addled stupour are shown in contrast to footage of highly impassioned speeches from the civil rights movement, calling on people to throw themselves down on the machinery of the system to grind it to a halt. Decades after the civil rights movement, many people in the black community are still caught up in the prison system, or denied opportunities to further themselves socially; but Dan is increasingly aware how little he can do about it. His classes on the dialectics of change through opposition, start to sound hollow when there is so little hope for his students.... Read more ›
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Ryan Gosling is exceptional in his role as a teacher at a comprehensive school and gives off raw emotion that at times is not only difficult for the character but the audience watching. He is superb and is an actor to watch for the long-term future.
Despite Gosling's inability to relate to the people that try and get on with him who are not directly involved in his life, he comes across as a simple but effective man but with hidden side-issues on what kind of world he is living in. He gets through any emotive negative within him by being truthful to himself and witty with others.
The film flows smoothly and without any preudice towards generic charachters and the music is unique and fitting. All the supporting players do a great job especially the drug-pimp(probably the nicest dealer portrayed in films) but theres the point of the film, do not take people on face-value or even the things they do to make money or get-by because there is a deeper meaning to what these characters are trying to achieve.
A film i could relate to and i especially like the scene where Gosling gets asked by his 'over-night guest' in the morning "Why do you have a copy of the mien kampf?" and he answers with a slightly cold but reasonable answer of "Just because i have a copy of that book, it doesnt make me a nazi". Theres something odd yet distinctive about the way he looks at life and the surprises with in his own. Its not till the end that Gosling's character realises its time to believe in not just his own thoughts but of those around him...and more importantly kick the habit..because although its an easy to get into and difficult slippery slide to hide your irresponsibilty, its a route that must be declined!
Despite Gosling's inability to relate to the people that try and get on with him who are not directly involved in his life, he comes across as a simple but effective man but with hidden side-issues on what kind of world he is living in. He gets through any emotive negative within him by being truthful to himself and witty with others.
The film flows smoothly and without any preudice towards generic charachters and the music is unique and fitting. All the supporting players do a great job especially the drug-pimp(probably the nicest dealer portrayed in films) but theres the point of the film, do not take people on face-value or even the things they do to make money or get-by because there is a deeper meaning to what these characters are trying to achieve.
A film i could relate to and i especially like the scene where Gosling gets asked by his 'over-night guest' in the morning "Why do you have a copy of the mien kampf?" and he answers with a slightly cold but reasonable answer of "Just because i have a copy of that book, it doesnt make me a nazi". Theres something odd yet distinctive about the way he looks at life and the surprises with in his own. Its not till the end that Gosling's character realises its time to believe in not just his own thoughts but of those around him...and more importantly kick the habit..because although its an easy to get into and difficult slippery slide to hide your irresponsibilty, its a route that must be declined!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. B. A. D. Plowman
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
HALF NELSON is a steadily paced, low-key movie from director Ryan Fleck. Given the subject matter, this flick could have easily become a syrupy melodrama, but it's understated, "fly on the wall" presentation helps the highly talented actors to weave their magic beautifully. This ain't MELODRAMA, this is REALISM.
The film is ostensibly about the relationship between crack addict history teacher DAN and his pupil DREY. Both of them lead troubled, uneasy lives and each feels a responsibilty for the other. Crucially, the magnificent performances of Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps serve to make each character sympathetic and very, very likeable. Gosling, in particular, is MAGNETIC in this movie.
HALF NELSON is a deeply absorbing character study and well worth a watch. It is a worthy examination of our vulnerability as human beings - the mistakes we constantly make and the people we inadvertently hurt as a result. Above all, it highlights our compassionate nature and our innate ability to care for one another. This is one of those movies whereby you finish watching it and maybe resolve to become a better person!
As a final comment, I also feel compelled to say that the closing scene of this flick is near-perfect.
A thought-provoking, satisfying film. RECOMMENDED.
The film is ostensibly about the relationship between crack addict history teacher DAN and his pupil DREY. Both of them lead troubled, uneasy lives and each feels a responsibilty for the other. Crucially, the magnificent performances of Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps serve to make each character sympathetic and very, very likeable. Gosling, in particular, is MAGNETIC in this movie.
HALF NELSON is a deeply absorbing character study and well worth a watch. It is a worthy examination of our vulnerability as human beings - the mistakes we constantly make and the people we inadvertently hurt as a result. Above all, it highlights our compassionate nature and our innate ability to care for one another. This is one of those movies whereby you finish watching it and maybe resolve to become a better person!
As a final comment, I also feel compelled to say that the closing scene of this flick is near-perfect.
A thought-provoking, satisfying film. RECOMMENDED.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By R. Mullaney
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
Ryan Gosling plays Mr. Dunne, a history teacher at an American inner city high school. In the classroom he is thought provoking and popular with his students. In his private life he is depressed and unfulfilled and uses crack cocaine to dull his disappointment with his life. When a girl from his class, Dree (Shareeka Epps) catches him getting high after school one night, they form an unlikely friendship.
This may sound like another Dangerous Minds with all the usual cliches of a white teacher trying to be a good role model to disaffected black kids but Half Nelson is much more. For a start, his class clearly like and respect him, unaware of his personal battle with drugs. Although Dree needs him to replace her deadbeat dad and incarcerated brother, he also needs her to give him purpose. As he becomes close to the child he tries his best to steer her away from the drug dealing friend who seems determined to look after Dree whilst her brother is in prison. Mr Dunne wants her to stay away from drugs but can't cope without them himself. Gosling and Epps turn in wonderful performances in this intelligent and poignant drama.
Like this? Try: A Room For Romeo Brass
This may sound like another Dangerous Minds with all the usual cliches of a white teacher trying to be a good role model to disaffected black kids but Half Nelson is much more. For a start, his class clearly like and respect him, unaware of his personal battle with drugs. Although Dree needs him to replace her deadbeat dad and incarcerated brother, he also needs her to give him purpose. As he becomes close to the child he tries his best to steer her away from the drug dealing friend who seems determined to look after Dree whilst her brother is in prison. Mr Dunne wants her to stay away from drugs but can't cope without them himself. Gosling and Epps turn in wonderful performances in this intelligent and poignant drama.
Like this? Try: A Room For Romeo Brass
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great
Great and loved it thank you very much very pleased I will tell all my friends about it now t
Published 2 days ago by bettyboop1
4.0 out of 5 stars
Present
I never actually watched this film, as it was a present for a friend. However he has seen it before and said it was very, very enjoyable. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Ruth Leslie
4.0 out of 5 stars
Brilliant Gosling
As always gosling delivers a superb performance. I liked the movie overall but felt it was very slow at times.
Published 1 month ago by Cristina
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Movie
Great movie enjoyed every minute of it the acting was superb storyline great what more could you want from a movie.
Published 2 months ago by p Thompson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Heavy going.
The acting is superb and the film is good, the story is very meaningful about how life can be, the lives of people working with the cards they have been dealt in life, what they... Read more
Published 2 months ago by LizWx
5.0 out of 5 stars
You couldn't wrestle me away from this one.
Good DVD, no problems there, and the movie is a quitely complex and up lifting movie. Great performances that conveys the thin line between destruction and success.
Published 3 months ago by Mabel
1.0 out of 5 stars
Dull
No doubt about it, both Shareeka Epps and Ryan Gosling's performances were superb. However I want more than that from a film. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Karen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good Film
Loved the film as I'm a great Ryan Gosling fan and love to see his developing acting skills through the years. DVD was delivered very quickly. Overall great service
Published 8 months ago by S. G. Stockham
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best acting Ive seen in a long time.
Ryan Gosling is fast becoming one of the worlds top actors and he should have won the Academy Award for his performance in this film, This is definately worth a watch and makes... Read more
Published 10 months ago by joey
4.0 out of 5 stars
It's a grip you can't get out of.
Dan and Drey, the former a High School teacher, the latter a student, two people of different ages and of a different race, two people ambling thru life in search of some semblance... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Spike Owen
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