Half Nelson

Synopsis

Ryan Gosling (La La Land, Drive) turns in a stunning, Oscar-nominated performance in the smart, moving and politically engaged HALF NELSON, one of the most exciting American films of recent years. With stellar support from Independent Spirit Award winner Shareeka Epps in her feature debut and Anthony Mackie (The Hurt Locker, Million Dollar Baby), and an original score that features Canadian rock group Broken Social Scene, director Ryan Fleck (Captain Marvel, Sugar) weaves together a moving story of redemption in an unforgiving world.

Dan Dunne (Gosling) is an inner city high school teacher. Dynamic and inspirational in the classroom, he spends his time outside of school on the edge of consciousness. His personal disappointments and disillusionment have led to a serious drug habit. Dan juggles his hangovers and his homework, keeping his lives separated, until one of his students, Drey (Shareeka Epps), catches him getting high after school. It is from this pivotal moment that director Ryan Fleck builds a tentative friendship between these two unlikely allies, creating one of the decade’s most arresting films in the process.

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Reviews

"Blasts out of the Hollywood comfort zone with brains, attitude and blistering performances. Essential viewing"

JAMES KING, BBC RADIO 1

"a masterpiece... one of the most rewarding films of the year"

WENDY IDE, THE TIMES

"Gosling and Epps are terrific"

FILM OF THE WEEK
TIME OUT

"a fine piece of work: reticent, intelligent, wholly devoid of triumphalism or self-pity... excellent"

FILM OF THE WEEK
PHILIP FRENCH, THE OBSERVER

"Just wonderful... A film you'll remember"

EMPIRE

"Ryan Gosling... he's one of the most mesmerising actors in America"

THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY

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