HALF NELSON

This is one of my favorite movies of the year. Well acted and well directed.

Ryan Gosling really stepped it up for this role. He gives an emotionally powerful performance that impacts you long after it's over. His character, Dan, struggles between the person he is around the kids that he teaches and the person he is outside of the classroom. A young girl student of his breaches this gap and his two worlds collide beautifully. The girl Drey, played by Shareeka Epps, is a very strong character that pushes Dan to think and seems to be his only hope. These two main characters are portrayed with a grace and humor that is so enjoyable to watch.

The way that the film is shot is very nice too. The photography is often unique, with odd camera angles and blurry focus. This makes it interesting to watch. The direction by Ryan Fleck is noteable. He is someone I will be watching for in the future.

The acting is top notch and keeps you wrapped up in the film. Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps interact very well together, being both humorous and moving. Ryan Fleck did a solid job of both writing and directing this film. This film is a subtle, yet powerful, showing of internal struggles we all face. Not since Brick have I been so impressed by an indepedent film.


GRADE: A
http://www.apple.com/trailers/thinkfilm/halfnelson/trailer/