Park City Legacy
Half Nelson
Ryan Fleck
A New York City middle school teacher with a drug habit forms an unlikely friendship with one of his students after she discovers his secret.
- Runtime
- 106 min
- Language
- English
Screenings
Dan (Ryan Gosling) is a man of contradictions: a dedicated teacher who cares for his students, yet relies on drugs to dull his existential pain. Drey (Shareeka Epps) is an unflinching teen who’s used to flawed adults and doesn’t judge his poor decisions. Even as Dan tries to keep her away from local dealer Frank (Anthony Mackie), it’s increasingly clear he’s the one in danger of slipping.
Roger Ebert called Half Nelson a “miraculous movie,” and 20 years later it still feels that way. The debut feature by Ryan Fleck — co-written with Anna Boden, who also edited the film — Half Nelson premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and earned Gosling his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor. It is an insightful, captivating story about complicated characters that avoids self-pity and moralizing conclusions. — AT
A new digital restoration
Available in person only.
Dan (Ryan Gosling) is a man of contradictions: a dedicated teacher who cares for his students, yet relies on drugs to dull his existential pain. Drey (Shareeka Epps) is an unflinching teen who’s used to flawed adults and doesn’t judge his poor decisions. Even as Dan tries to keep her away from local dealer Frank (Anthony Mackie), it’s increasingly clear he’s the one in danger of slipping.
Roger Ebert called Half Nelson a “miraculous movie,” and 20 years later it still feels that way. The debut feature by Ryan Fleck — co-written with Anna Boden, who also edited the film — Half Nelson premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and earned Gosling his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor. It is an insightful, captivating story about complicated characters that avoids self-pity and moralizing conclusions. — AT
A new digital restoration
Available in person only.