Review of Half Nelson (1985) by Kate . — 02 Sep 2008

Dan Dunne is a decent junior high teacher who cares about making a difference. He is also a crack addict, something he manages to keep secret until one of his students discovers him smoking the substance on school premises, which leads to the development of a strange but important friendship.

'Half Nelson' is a film about binary oppositions, whether this be opposites of gender, age, ethnicity or social roles. It couples ordinary characters with extraordinary situations, and makes for some original and at times quite unsettling viewing.

It manages to work successfully on a melodramatic scale due to its troubled and subdued characters and shaky, blurred camera-work that the director employs; giving the feeling of disconnection and uneasiness.

Although it is a melodrama, it is not full of the usual highly-climactic arguments or constant toil and tears; it works on a moody, brooding level that is much more relevant and effective when considering the narrative.

The text reminds me very much of another melodrama 'SherryBaby' starring Maggie Gyllenhaal. I say this because both films centre around a drug addict and their struggles to keep on top and connect with the children in their lives.

Also, both films pan out on a similar, plain and horizontal level, but do harbour some quality character portrayals from very talented actors. Ryan Gosling is excellent as the unstable but highly intelligent Mr.

Dunne. What seems like an incredible situation is made entirely believable through Goslings focused delivery of dialogue and expertly timed gestures and expressions. Shareeka Epps plays his 13 year old student in a very plain, straight-forward manner, but it seems to fit well within the sedated atmosphere of the film.

Although it is a little slow and slightly to sedated at times, 'Half Nelson' is still a decent film that is worth a watch for fans of original and off-beat concepts. Not bad.