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| Movie Review: Half Nelson Alternate Title: To Sir, With Love
Story: No wait - this is not
a story about wrestling. In wrestling, a half nelson means a person
is stuck in one position. In a sense the film does concern characters
who are stuck in positions either by their own choosing or by the accident
of birth. This film focus' on the unlikely friendship between
an inner city junior high school history teacher and a young female
student who walks a thin line between good and bad choices that are
offered to her. Our teacher is an effective, inspiring, and basically
not your standard curriculum kind of guy. By night he is addicted to
drugs and alcohol and is mostly wasted and lost. Our young student catches
him smoking crack and their friendship grows. They both try to help
and protect one another but the odds are not in their favor. This is not a formulaic, upbeat, Hollywood film.
It presents the facts of their lives and the choices they face. It is
a character study and you will find affection for the characters. First time director Ryan Fleck
does an admirable job presenting these very flawed characters. The film
is based on Fleck's short film called Gowanus, Brooklyn, which won the
Grand Jury prize at Sundance in 2004. This film is about commitment,
politics, drugs, alliances, friendships and a glimmer of hope. Acting: Ryan Gosling should be a
Hollywood star. He is talented, good looking and believable. He was
terrific as the teacher. Newcomer Shareeka Epps is
amazing as the young girl.
Predilection: None
Critters: A street cat and a house cat. Theater Audience: I saw this film at the NYC Film
Festival a few months ago (thanks Joe) and it was packed.
Weather: Clear and sunny
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: It is never comfortable to see people's
addiction on screen.
Drift Factor: It was a little long at parts but mostly
riveting because of the acting. Predictability Level: I did not know what was going
to happen
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Support an Indie and go to
the big screen.
Length: A bit under two hours.
LOBO HOWLS: 7
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