Teacher Taught

Half Nelson

Director: Ryan Fleck

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps, Anthony Mackie

Cert: 15

A tough but always realistic drama of a basically decent inner-city teacher (Gosling) trying to come to terms with a deepening drug addiction and the unlikely friendship he forms with a 13-year-old pupil (Epps).

In a week that sees several of the new releases emphasising the nature of people who become lost in a world they don’t quite understand this emerges as the strongest. It is never afraid to illustrate the awfulness of addiction and the unequal struggle against it.

And the film is helped by some knock-out performances and strong directing.

Star Rating: 4/5