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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers (WGA):
Ryan Fleck (written by) &
Anna Boden (written by)
Release Date:
11 August 2006 (USA) more
Tagline:
Secrets don't let go.
Plot:
An inner-city junior high school teacher with a drug habit forms an unlikely friendship with one of his students after she discovers his secret. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Oscar. Another 22 wins & 21 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(141 articles)
Focus Features Announces 2010 Release Dates
(From Slash Film. 12 November 2009, 10:55 PM, PST)
Focus Features Passes $1 Billion Mark, Announces 2010 Slate -- and it's Exciting!
(From Manny the Movie Guy. 12 November 2009, 6:40 PM, PST)
User Comments:
Half Nelson--a moving and thought-provoking film more (151 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| Ryan Gosling | ... | Dan Dunne | |
| Jeff Lima | ... | Roodly | |
| Shareeka Epps | ... | Drey | |
| Nathan Corbett | ... | Terrance | |
| Tyra Kwao-Vovo | ... | Stacy | |
| Rosemary Ledee | ... | Gina | |
| Tristan Wilds | ... | Jamal | |
| Bryce Silver | ... | Bernard | |
| Kaela C. Pabon | ... | Lena | |
| Erica Rivera | ... | Erika (as Erika Rivera) | |
| Stephanie Bast | ... | Vanessa | |
| Eleanor Hutchins | ... | Simone | |
| Sebastian Sozzi | ... | Javier | |
| Tina Holmes | ... | Rachel | |
| Karen Chilton | ... | Karen |
Additional Details
MPAA:
Rated R for drug content throughout, language and some sexuality.
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
USA:106 min (Sundance Film Festival)
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Certification:
USA:R | Singapore:M18 | Portugal:M/16 | UK:15 | Australia:MA | Sweden:7 | Ireland:15A | Finland:K-13 | New Zealand:R16 | Germany:12 | Norway:10 (TV rating) | Norway:11
Filming Locations:
Company:
Fun Stuff
Trivia:
(According to the filmmakers' commentary on the DVD) the film was shot hand-held, except for a short sequence in Dan Dunne's apartment. The sequence in Dunne's apartment happens when he is not there, and it contains all static shots. These static shots were shot on a tripod. more
Quotes:
Cindy:
Knock, knock.
Dan:
[rolling his eyes but gamely playing along] Who's there?
Cindy:
The Interrupting Cow.
Dan:
The Interru...
Cindy:
Moooooo!
more
Movie Connections:
References "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (1986) more
Soundtrack:
Haciendo Algo more
FAQ
What is a Half Nelson?Why is the film titled after a wrestling move?
more
more (151 total)
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I saw Half Nelson twice at the San Francisco International Film Festival and liked it even better the second time. Each actor is memorable and convincing. Ryan Gosling is amazing as Dan, a charismatic but drug addicted teacheran academy award level performance. Gosling was voted best actor at Sundance, 2006, in an IndieWire poll, which also picked Half Nelson as best film. Shareeka Epps is equally riveting as Drey, the student who learns his secret, voted best actress in the Sundance IndieWire poll. Epps also led the list of six of this year's breakthrough performances by the New York Times. Anthony Mackie is anything but predictable as a local drug dealer. Half Nelson packs an emotional wallop, but also has solid political and philosophical substance. Here are comments from ten viewers at the SF Festival where it won the International Critics Prize (FIPRESCI). This prize is established at international film festivals, and its aim is to promote film art and to particularly encourage new and young cinema.
"Intense, deep, human, scary, dark, sad, happy, hopeful, depressing, awesome. . ." "Great story. Great film. I enjoyed it a lot. A lot to learn from this film." "Wonderful character development (and great actors!) Very real movie." "Makes you think. Loved it." "Great acting to go along with the wonderful writing. I only hope they both make it through (Drey and Dan)." "Beautifully shot, beautifully acted, and just like life in which ideals can float on top of emotional turmoil and children teach teachers." "Outstanding. Very creative and absorbing." "Enjoyed the film, especially the close shots, which added to my initial discomfort and eventual resonance with the themes of closeness and discomfort." "Great movie. Lots of complex characters. Loved the historical political references." "Half Nelson isn't half bad! In fact, it's rather perfect."