HALF NELSON

Year: 2006
USA: THINKfilm
UK: Axiom Films
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps, Anthony Mackie, Tina Holmes, Deborah Rush, Jay O Sanders, Monique Curnen, Stephanie Bast, Karen Chilton, Nathan Corbett, Collins Pennie, Bryce Silver, Sebastian Sozzi, Nicole Vicius, Tristan Wilds, Christopher Williamson, Thaddeus Daniels, Susan Kerner, Adepero Oduye
Director: Ryan Fleck
Country: USA
USA & UK: 107 mins
USA Rated: R for drug content throughout, language and some sexuality
UK Certificate: 15 contains strong language and hard drug use
USA Release Date: 11 August 2006 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 20 April 2007

Synopsis

Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling) is a young inner-city junior high school teacher whose ideals fade in the face of reality. Day after day in his shabby Brooklyn classroom, he somehow finds the energy to inspire his 13 and 14 year-old pupils. Rejecting the standard curriculum in favor of an edgier approach, Dan teaches his students how change works - on both a historical and personal scale - and how to think for themselves.

Though Dan is brilliant, dynamic and in command of his class, his life outside school precariously hangs on the edge of consciousness. Disillusionment has led to a serious drug habit and he walks a fine line balancing hangovers between his homework. Inevitably he is caught out when one of his troubled students, Drey (Shareeka Epps), catches him getting high after school.

From this awkward beginning, Dan and Drey hesitantly form an unexpected friendship. Despite the differences in their ages and situations, they are both at an important intersection. Depending on which way they turn - and which choices they make - their lives will change.