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Half Nelson
Half Nelson Image
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Metascore
85 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 31 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 134 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps
  • Summary: Dan, an idealistic inner-city junior high school teacher with a drug habit, and Drey, one of his troubled students, stumble into an unexpected friendship that threatens either to undo them or to provide the vital change they both need to move forward in their lives. (ThinkFilm)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 31
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 31
  3. Negative: 0 out of 31
  1. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Ken Fox
    100
    Superb drama from New York-based filmmakers Ryan Flek and Anna Boden.
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Lisa Schwarzbaum
    100
    Half Nelson offers an opportunity to marvel, once again, at the dazzling talent of Ryan Gosling for playing young men as believable as they are psychologically trip-wired.
  3. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Kyle Smith
    50
    Too bad there is only about half an hour's worth of story here. Mostly, we just watch the teacher get high, and his classroom talks about civil rights are nothing but filler.

See all 31 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 70
  3. Negative: 13 out of 70
  1. TyP
    10
    In my top 5 movies of all time. Captures a lifestyle in an subtle, accurate, and painful piece of art.
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  2. nascent
    4
    Another cliché-ridden generic drug-related high school movie. The only positive is Gosling's acting, if only the script was worthy of his casting....… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. Mase
    3
    Every once in awhile a movie comes along with near unanimous praise that emo is pure junk. Indie junk is what Half Nelson is. Bordering on torture, everything done here has been done before and far better. Gosling does nothing here to warrant the praise he is receiving. This is perhaps the most boring, overrated movie of the year. "Sherryberry" was similar content and far superior.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 70 User Reviews

Trailers

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