Focal Point – Half Nelson (2006)
Half Nelson is an American drama film directed by Ryan Fleck and written by Anna Boden and Fleck, and which stars Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps and Anthony Mackie. The story concerns an inner city middle-school teacher who forms a friendship with one of his students after she discovers that he has a drug habit.
Gosling received an Academy Award nomination for lead actor for his role in the film. The film was also a huge critical success and garnered an overall average of 85 out of 100 on Metacritic. It also has a 90% positive raring score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Half Nelson was rated R for drug content throughout, language and some sexuality. The film had the mysterious tagline ‘Secrets don’t let go’ and is based on a 19-minute film made by Boden and Fleck in 2004, titled Gowanus, Brooklyn.
It premiered in competition at the 2006 Sundance Film Fest and was released theatrically on August 11, 2006.
Tags: Half Nelson, Ryan Gosling
