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Half Nelson

Play trailer Poster for Half Nelson R 2006 1h 46m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 157 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling) is a history teacher at a Brooklyn school. Though well-liked by his students and colleagues, he secretly spends his evenings hopping bars and getting high. A female student named Drey (Shareeka Epps) catches him in a drug-induced haze after a basketball game, and the two strike up an unlikely friendship. As Dan struggles with his addiction, he tries to act as a mentor to the girl, whose brother is serving time for dealing drugs.
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Half Nelson

Half Nelson

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Critics Consensus

Half Nelson features powerful performances from Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps. It's a wise, unsentimental portrait of lonely people at the crossroads.

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Critics Reviews

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Sandra Hall Sydney Morning Herald 04/27/2007
4/5
It's hardly a film which trumpets its virtues but that's part of the pleasure to be had from it. It doesn't know how good it is. Go to Full Review Tim Robey Daily Telegraph (UK) 04/20/2007
It's impressively adult, sure-footed filmmaking, and that Best Actor nod was definitely deserved. Go to Full Review Andrew Pulver Guardian 04/20/2007
3/5
Dunne [Gosling] is an enjoyable and impressive creation, justifiably recognised with an Oscar nomination for Gosling earlier this year. Go to Full Review Jae-Ha Kim Jae-Ha Kim 07/26/2023
3/4
Bleakly filmed and well told, "Half Nelson" soars because of the immaculate acting by Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps. Gosling's both alluring and pitiful as an addict, while Epps hits all the right notes as a child who's seen too much hardship. Go to Full Review Kathy Fennessy Seattle Film Blog 09/16/2021
4/4
...the final scene is so lovely--so subtle, yet funny--that it makes up for any missteps that have come before it. Go to Full Review PJ Nabarro Patrick Nabarro 03/22/2021
3/5
The more interesting aspects of the film come in its less pre-determined margins. And maybe the drama is highly strategised, but the acting is real and genuine. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Griffith J @griffithxjohnson Jun 17 A great indie tone with genuine & charming acting. A real look at messy lives in a grounded way without any big dramatic moments. The emotions are very subtle yet powerful while looking at addiction. But the overall message seems vague. See more Faiz D 08/29/2024 An intelligent drama film. Ryan Gosling was extremely impressive. See more Patrick D 03/25/2024 3.75. Is Gosling one of my favorite actors at this point? Guy has consistently delivered for years. See more Dionisis T 01/23/2024 We've all seen a movie solely because an actor is in it...to me this movie is just that thing with Ryan Gosling See more Timothy D 12/03/2023 Half Nelson immediately sinks its way into your heart. It's mature and deep as it explores human weakness and the desire to do good. Gosling and Epps are a magical acting pair as they play each other's strengths with an older, struggling person trying to help and young, strong person. It's pure and sincere. The film ends openly, but the humanity it conveyed is a piece of indie film gold. See more Maz B @MotoGP 09/05/2023 Yes the acting is great and there are some popular actors in this, but I found myself scrolling through my phone. It wasn't what I expected. It was ok, but pretty boring. See more Read all reviews
Half Nelson

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Cast & Crew

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Ryan Fleck

Director

Ryan Gosling

Dan Dunne

Shareeka Epps

Drey

Anthony Mackie

Frank

Deborah Rush

Jo

Jay O. Sanders

Russ

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Half Nelson

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Movie Info

Synopsis Dan Dunne (Ryan Gosling) is a history teacher at a Brooklyn school. Though well-liked by his students and colleagues, he secretly spends his evenings hopping bars and getting high. A female student named Drey (Shareeka Epps) catches him in a drug-induced haze after a basketball game, and the two strike up an unlikely friendship. As Dan struggles with his addiction, he tries to act as a mentor to the girl, whose brother is serving time for dealing drugs.
Director
Ryan Fleck
Producer
Anna Boden, Lynette Howell Taylor, Rosanne Korenberg, Alex Orlovsky, Jamie Patricof
Screenwriter
Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden
Production Co
Journeyman Pictures, Hunting Lane Films, Silverwood Films
Rating
R (Language|Drug Content Throughout|Some Sexuality)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jan 23, 2006, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Aug 11, 2006
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 15, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$2.7M
Runtime
1h 46m
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