Half Nelson, a hold in which a wrestler, from behind the opponent, passes one arm under the corresponding arm of the opponent and locks the hand on the back of the opponent's neck. The definition of this film corresponds perfectly with the situation that Daniel Dunn, played by Ryan Gosling, is strangled in. Shot in what seems to be inner-city New York, Ryan Gosling portrays a drug addicted junior high History teacher, who gets caught doing drugs by one of his students, Drey, played by Shareeka Epps, and from that point on, "Teach" and Drey continue to build an irregular relationship not knowing both individuals live similar yet contrasting lives. Directed by Ryan Fleck and Oscar nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, Ryan Gosling, this drama released in 2006 would have not been given the chance for an Academy Award if it wasn't for the hand-held camera shots and the parallel editing.
Going into most pictures I set myself up ready for a formalistic type of film, the classic technique over content. However in Half Nelson, ninety-five percent of the movie is filmed in the hand-held camera view which suggests documentary footage in an uncontrolled setting. The movie is not a documentary, though the constant movement of the camera proposes the realistic aspect of the film and the intensity of all the characters. Adding to the intensity are the overused close-up and medium close-up shots, which expels the locale, therefore allows the viewer to focus on the expressions that the actors are producing; by doing this Ryan Gosling was able to get nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars, because his emotions are so clear, and I as the audience was able to recognize who his character was, due to the continuously shot of close- ups.
Close-up shots aren't the only aspects of intensification, parallel editing is a favorable way to visualize alternating shots from two sequences that suggest they are taking place at the same time. In Half Nelson parallel editing is used to show both the lives of Daniel Dunn and Drey occurring at the same time during different scenes. A certain scene that shows a great example of this is when Daniel Dunn is having dinner at his parent's house, and at the same time Drey is getting ready to go on a ride to do drug deals with Frank, a pretty much "family" member that watches over Drey and her mother while Drey's brother resides in jail; played by the strong willed actor, Anthony Mackie. Both the scenes come to a conclusion that have Drey escorting drugs to a dark sketchy motel and winds up spotting her teacher inside the room. This technique can also be used to differentiate types of groups with music, like Daniel's family listening to the Toronto band Broken Social Scene, while Drey and Frank listened to Rap music.
Half Nelson's style of film did throw me off and I almost thought director Ryan Fleck was being put in submission by the Full Nelson, but in the end the strong Oscar nominated performance by Ryan Gosling and the addition of technique used throughout pulls through as a drama that everyone should see. The film may take time to adjust to but like Drey once said "What do you call cheese that's not yours? Nacho Cheese." It may not be your cheese but it doesn't hurt to get a taste.
Going into most pictures I set myself up ready for a formalistic type of film, the classic technique over content. However in Half Nelson, ninety-five percent of the movie is filmed in the hand-held camera view which suggests documentary footage in an uncontrolled setting. The movie is not a documentary, though the constant movement of the camera proposes the realistic aspect of the film and the intensity of all the characters. Adding to the intensity are the overused close-up and medium close-up shots, which expels the locale, therefore allows the viewer to focus on the expressions that the actors are producing; by doing this Ryan Gosling was able to get nominated for Best Actor at the Oscars, because his emotions are so clear, and I as the audience was able to recognize who his character was, due to the continuously shot of close- ups.
Close-up shots aren't the only aspects of intensification, parallel editing is a favorable way to visualize alternating shots from two sequences that suggest they are taking place at the same time. In Half Nelson parallel editing is used to show both the lives of Daniel Dunn and Drey occurring at the same time during different scenes. A certain scene that shows a great example of this is when Daniel Dunn is having dinner at his parent's house, and at the same time Drey is getting ready to go on a ride to do drug deals with Frank, a pretty much "family" member that watches over Drey and her mother while Drey's brother resides in jail; played by the strong willed actor, Anthony Mackie. Both the scenes come to a conclusion that have Drey escorting drugs to a dark sketchy motel and winds up spotting her teacher inside the room. This technique can also be used to differentiate types of groups with music, like Daniel's family listening to the Toronto band Broken Social Scene, while Drey and Frank listened to Rap music.
Half Nelson's style of film did throw me off and I almost thought director Ryan Fleck was being put in submission by the Full Nelson, but in the end the strong Oscar nominated performance by Ryan Gosling and the addition of technique used throughout pulls through as a drama that everyone should see. The film may take time to adjust to but like Drey once said "What do you call cheese that's not yours? Nacho Cheese." It may not be your cheese but it doesn't hurt to get a taste.