Half Nelson (2006) 8/10

Starring : Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps, Anthony Mackie, Nathan Corbett
Director : Ryan Fleck
Running Time : 107 mins

Inner city school teacher Dan Dunne (Gosling) is a drug addict who forms an unusual relationship with one of his pupils, a girl named Drey (Epps), when she catches him using in the toilets. Soon they become kindred spirits, Drey coming from a single parent household and being largely self-reliant, and Dan who finds drugs are the only way he can deal with everyday life.

This drama was a breath of fresh air. It doesn’t stereotype its characters by putting them into fixed roles, and it doesn’t try to make us believe that there’s a clear differential between good and evil. Gosling plays the drug addicted teacher perfectly, not going over the top at any point and clearly appearing to be controlling his anger and frustration throughout the film, and Epps role as Drey is performed with near perfection.

You’ll like this if you liked : Coach Carter