Half Nelson (2006)

Director: Ryan Fleck

Rated: R

Length: 106 min.

In this inspiring story of the developing relationship between a student and teacher who are working through the hardships of their lives, Ryan Gosling (Dan Dunne) shines. Most people know Gosling for his roles in such romantic films as The Notebook and Lars and the Real Girl, but in this film he truly shows his dynamic acting ability by perfectly portraying someone struggling to break their habit. Director Ryan Fleck does a great job of demonstrating the secret life of a teacher who molds young minds by day, but drifts back into his perilous habit by night; surrounding himself with the frequent faces of immorality. It seems as though his student, Shareeka Epps (Drey), is the only one who truly understands the misunderstood teacher, for she too lives in a world of disarray. As the film comes to a conclusion, there is nothing solved or accomplished, just the promise of a new day and a second chance at life. For those of you looking to see Gosling play the role of another alluring hearthrob, go ahead and skip this one; for the realistic depiction of this cruel world is not a pretty portyal for this typical stud. Half Nelson.