Indie film follows own plot

Not one of the underdog black kids turns out to be an undiscovered genius, and the focus of the film is not on the miracle of what a committed white teacher can do for black children (see 1995’s Dangerous Minds).
Moreover, Half Nelson almost reverses the usual story. It introduces Dan Dunne, a fine history teacher who views his subject as a continuous conflict between opposing forces.
His pupils like him and find his unusual, thought-provoking teaching method exciting.
But not all is well with Mr Dunne. He is desperately unhappy and sees the world as a bleak and unfair place, he also suffers from his own impotence to change it. The only thing that keeps him in focus and able to function is teaching, which he seems to be good at despite his alcohol problems and a serious drug addiction.
The scene where Dunne sits at the dinner table with his family raises the question of whether Dunne is a drug addict because he is on the periphery of any kind of community, even of his own family, or if his spiritual isolation is due to his addiction.
One night, after a basketball match, one of Dunne’s pupils, (Au)Drey, runs into her teacher when he is high on crack. The girl takes care of him and keeps his secret, and hence a warm, yet tough, friendship grows between them.
Their relationship might give a chance for a better life to both the disillusioned Dunne and to victimized Drey, who is lured to be the drug courier of a neighbor to make an easier living.
Actually the best thing about Fleck’s Half Nelson is the masterful cast of his leading characters. Ryan Gosling (Lars and the Real Girl; Stay; The Notebook) as Dunne is incredible. His acting is so genuine and sophisticated that he makes it really easy for the viewer to sympathize with the miserable teacher.
With this role, Gosling definitely establishes himself as one of the finest actors of his generation.

Exceptional

His exceptional talent was last witnessed by Hungarian movie-goers in Lars and the Real Girl (2007), although Half Nelson was actually shot a year earlier than that touching story of the super-eccentric Lars.
Gosling has an equal partner in the young Shareeka Epps, making her debut here, and who plays Drey superbly.
As it is so common with non-Hollywood, independent movies, only two Budapest cinemas have ventured to screen Half Nelson. While this film will definitely not be a blockbuster, it is certainly worth checking out Művész or Odeon for the time of its screening.

Half Nelson
Running time: 1 hr 44 mins
MPAA Rating: R for drug content throughout, language and some sexuality.
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