Half-Nelsoned
I would highly recommend the film Half-Nelson; it is an independent picture but a great one. It depicts the struggles a teacher goes through to get through to his kids, the hardships he endures while trying against impossible odds to help his students learn. This film has great literary merit; although there aren’t writers, or goofy taxmen, there’s deep emotional setting, rich with struggle and heartbreak. The teacher not only has to struggle against the odds, but he has to struggle against his own addictions, against his fears, and others influences.
Half-Nelson stars Ryan gosling in a time when he was a no name actor, and a great one at that. Proven by his performance in this film, Gosling shows that he is versatile and can play any role with dedication and full concentration. This is not another heart-warming cheesy Hollywood-ized film where everyone goes on to do better things; this is a window into the realities of urban public schools. So beware, do not expect a film where the good guy always wins, where the damsel is always saved from distress, this is a film where you can never expect the outcome, but are still able to attach yourself to the characters.
The literary value behind this film is in its rich plot line, its distinct character development, and the processes by which the actors perform; every word has a special meaning, every look, every movement- this film is pure magic compared to a lot of the mediocrity in media we have today.
Half-Nelson stars Ryan gosling in a time when he was a no name actor, and a great one at that. Proven by his performance in this film, Gosling shows that he is versatile and can play any role with dedication and full concentration. This is not another heart-warming cheesy Hollywood-ized film where everyone goes on to do better things; this is a window into the realities of urban public schools. So beware, do not expect a film where the good guy always wins, where the damsel is always saved from distress, this is a film where you can never expect the outcome, but are still able to attach yourself to the characters.
The literary value behind this film is in its rich plot line, its distinct character development, and the processes by which the actors perform; every word has a special meaning, every look, every movement- this film is pure magic compared to a lot of the mediocrity in media we have today.