Review of Half Nelson (2006) by Ann D — 04 Jan 2009

Ryan gosling, a most narcissistic, self-absorbed performer playing a narcissistic self-absorbed drug addict is indeed a match made in heaven. watch Fractured and there is absolutely no difference between the characters.

yeah, that's range for ya. every tic, every mannerism is stilted and phony-- instead of demystifying drug use, this film is like a calvin klein advertisement for it with the hiply skinny, perfectly attired gosling as the prime poster child.

none of the negative consequences of drug use are really hammered home- despite the film's supposed claim to "realism' with its shaky, obnoxious camerawork. the feist song was great, but ive already heard it used in a similar moment during a scene in the l word.

the score got the job done though, ill give it that. man, this movie is as inarticulate as its characters. and for a film about "change" nothing happened- the characters certainly did not grow or come to new realizations.

the one thing it had going for it was the character of frank, a complicated guy with a lot of charm and perhaps even good intentions who sees himself as a father figure even as he steers a young girl towards a life of drug dealing.

he's also the only articulate character in the film. shareeka has potential but is given nothin to work with. the film also seems to take the attitude that this asshole is a good teacher...spewing about dialectics instead of a curriculum isn't teaching and these kids deserve better.

..we, as an audience, deserve better.