# Half Nelson (2006)

> A gifted but crack-addicted Brooklyn teacher forms an uneasy bond with a troubled thirteen-year-old student who recognizes his fragility.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/movie/3876

## Facts

- Runtime: 107 min
- Genres: Drama
- Director: Ryan Fleck
- Cast: Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps, Anthony Mackie, Jeff Lima, Monique Gabriela Curnen, Tina Holmes, Nathan Corbett, Tyra Kwao-Vovo
- TMDB rating: 6.7/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468489/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: layered
- Violence: mild
- Mood: naturalistic, bleak, compassionate, quiet evening, serious film night

## Synopsis

A troubled teacher finds unexpected connection with a student facing her own struggles.

## Movies like Half Nelson

- [The Kindergarten Teacher (2018)](https://ember.film/movie/336458)
- [The Emperor's Club (2002)](https://ember.film/movie/10350)
- [Hardball (2001)](https://ember.film/movie/12567)
- [The Inevitable Defeat of Mister & Pete (2013)](https://ember.film/movie/97227)
- [Short Term 12 (2013)](https://ember.film/movie/102224)
- [Beats (2019)](https://ember.film/movie/423402)
- [Detachment (2011)](https://ember.film/movie/52108)
- [The Place Beyond the Pines (2013)](https://ember.film/movie/66809)
- [The United States of Leland (2003)](https://ember.film/movie/7881)
- [Steve (2025)](https://ember.film/movie/2988774)

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