Half Nelson

So what can Half Nelson possibly cover that a plethora of other films haven’t?

Fortunately Half Nelson is a lot smarter and daring than most would give credit for from a glance at the plot synopsis.

Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling) is a history teacher who doesn’t teach by the book, instead opting to use his own methods to interest and motivate the children.

That’s his day job. At night he is a loner and a drug addict.

Dan manages to let one his student,s 13-year-old Drey (Shareeka Epps) discover his habit as he bases up in the locker room toilet.

From then on he forms an uneasy but interesting relationship with her that consists of genuine concern and affection for each others' lives.

Half Nelson is a low budget independent feature, which happens to make the film a lot more fresh and appealing.

Using a cast consisting mostly of unknowns; Shareeka Epps who plays Drey is a revelation.

The film has a distinctive visual style; shaky camera work, lack of focus and tight framing give the film an amateur look which injects the film with documentary realism that gives the film relevance and importance.

The film never resorts to using attention-grabbing filmic techniques; instead the film rather plays out like life itself. It never makes false claims either, pretending to be something its not.

Half Nelson is devoid of triumphalism and it makes for absorbing and honest viewing.

The film has a lot to say and none of its messages and values are misjudged.

Its political engagement never disrupts viewing from an engrossing look into whom and why people take drugs.

There’s also a social commentary that really kicks in when drug dealer Frank (Anthony Mackie), who befriends Drey, enters the film’s events. Frank and Dan clash heads over Drey’s best interests but ironically the two need each other; Frank feeds Dan’s habit and Dan keeps Frank earning money... however when Frank introduces Drey to his business, Dan becomes very protective of her.

The film is punctuated by regular scenes within the classroom - especially the students who directly address the audience. This is done to fit in with the theme of opposing forces (one of the lectures Dan gives to his students) the idea of roles and responsibilities are constantly blurred within the film.

The children directly addressing the camera thus breaking the ‘fourth wall’ (the invisible wall between the characters and the audience) gives them a teacher demeanour.

Are they adults or children? Are they students or teachers? It’s a concept Dan certainly lives with.

He is unable to accept or carry out all the responsibilities that he needs to live with (at one point of the film, his cat dies - probably due to lack of feeding) and is unable to successfully separate his job from his personal life.

As Dan says in a lecture ‘we’re always changing’ but he doesn’t seem to keep up with it.

A lonely and at times repressed man he occupies himself with hobbies he cannot stick to (he paints, exercises, writes etc.) but cannot channel his creativeness. He tries to pass it on to the children but his political and social correctness keep Dan pinned down by the system.

He seems frustrated with everything that is wrong with life (or his) but he is unable to act on it.

It’s a complex and compelling study, made more so by the intense and spellbinding performance by Ryan Gosling who plays Dan.

He fills the screen with a tortured presence making him human; a man frustrated by life’s unfairness, disappointments and struggles.

Gosling makes dislikeable character qualities rub off the audience due to his brilliant performance. For example Dan is arguably full of hypocrisy; he himself a junkie, preaches to Drey to keep away from that world.

Gosling challenges viewer’s perceptions of junkies too; repelled by him basing up and compelled by his intrigue and his good-hearted spirit.

Dan seems to represent many people who are intelligent but do not know what to do with it; he tries to pass what knowledge of living he has to the class but ultimately remains emotionally detached from those who surround him (especially his family in a scene which appears vulgar because of our subjective attachment to Dan).

What really drives the film though is the relationship between Drey and Dan. They both are in difficult times in their lives (Drey is going through puberty and discovering the world’s darker side). They both depend on each other but push each other away when confronted with problems or drawn in by others; in Dan’s case it's drugs and in Drey’s case it's hanging out with Frank.

What Dan does fail to say in his opposing forces lecture is that opposing forces actually coexist. One would be lost without the other and it fills the final frame with unforgettable poignancy.

Half Nelson suggests nobody is perfect, everyone has problems and this is a film that faces up to them.

This film is brimming with quiet anguish, inspirational moments and intelligent views that cannot be ignored. Truthful in what it depicts, it is required viewing for those above the age of 15.

The film does remain challenging viewing; with an emotionally unstable and aimless lead. Very enthusiastic in its views it will be easy for some to label ‘preachy’, however the superb naturalistic performances, fantastic script and a great score give the film undeniable originality.

This is outstanding filmmaking and one of the best films of 2007.

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