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Half Nelson By David DiCerto Catholic News Service NEW YORK (CNS) -- The title of the small but poignant drama "Half Nelson" (THINKFilm) refers to a wrestling hold that is hard to escape and which serves as an apt metaphor for the self-destructive spiral in which the film's protagonist is caught. Ryan Gosling plays an inner-city public school history teacher whose classroom idealism hides his private battle with drug addiction, until he's caught in the act by one of his students, Drey (Shareeka Epps), a tough girl with a troubled home life, triggering an unlikely friendship that changes them both. Despite its bleak subject matter, director Ryan Fleck's gritty film is ultimately about redemption, connection and transformation, and is buttressed by emotionally honest performances that illuminate flawed humanity and a taut script that avoids cliche, easy answers or oversentimentality. The film contains recurring drug content, a sexual encounter with fleeting partial nudity, and much rough and crude language, as well as some profanity. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-III -- adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is R -- restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian. - - - DiCerto is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. More reviews are available online at www.usccb.org/movies. END Copyright (c) 2006 Catholic News Service/USCCB. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed. CNS · 3211 Fourth St NE · Washington DC 20017 · 202.541.3250 |
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