Half Nelson
Seen it?2006 | 107 min | Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
Critics loved it (91% on Rotten Tomatoes) and it made about 7 times its budget. A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. If you loved The Shawshank Redemption or Freedom Writers, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 47 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: expect drug use.
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
Despite his dedication to the junior-high students who fill his classroom, idealistic teacher Dan Dunne leads a secret life of addiction that the majority of his students will never know. But things change when a troubled student Drey makes a startling discovery of his secret life, causing a tenuous bond between the two that could either end disastrously or provide a catalyst of hope.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsVery strong
91% on Rotten Tomatoes, 85 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.7 out of 10
- AwardsSolid
Won 2 Independent Spirit Awards: Best Female Lead, Best Male Lead. Also nominated for 1 Oscar, 1 SAG Award and 1 Critics' Choice Award.
- Box office & staying powerStrong
$5 million worldwide on a $700K budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactSolid
About 179K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Ryan Fleck
- Ryan GoslingDan Dunne
- Shareeka EppsDrey
- Anthony MackieFrank
- Jeff LimaRoodly
- Monique Gabriela CurnenIsabel
- Tina HolmesRachel
- Nathan CorbettTerrance
- Tyra Kwao-VovoStacy
- Rosemary LedeeGina
- Tristan Mack WildsJamal