CineMedusa

Movie Reviews

by Mara Math

Capsule Review

Half Nelson

Half Nelson depicts, with originality and subtlety, the spiky friendship (non-sexual) that develops between an idealistic, messed-up young white teacher and his black 13-year old student. Ryan Gosling excels in his best role yet, and he is well-matched by the amazing Shareeka Epps, a first-timer with incredible screen presence more than sufficient to hold her own. Though the sport does not appear, the title refers to a hold in which a wrestler appears to partially embrace an opponent while forcing the opponent down; Dan and Drey indeed clutch at the possibility—-or illusion—of redemption they see in each other as if drowning.

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