Half Nelson

Dan Dunne is a devoted junior high teacher who gives his students his full attention, yet he hides a dangerous secret he uses heroin. In class he connects with his pupils, but off campus he slips into risky behavior. A troubled student named Drey notices there is more to him than the surface shows, sparking a fragile bond that could crumble under pressure or offer a glimmer of hope. The film follows the clash between duty and dependency, showing how one teacher's hidden habit ripples through the lives around him without revealing what will come next.

Directed by Ryan Fleck, Half Nelson debuted in 2006 as an intimate indie drama. Written by Fleck with Anna Boden, the film is based on an original story and was produced on a shoestring budget of about 700,000.

The film earned about 4.9 million worldwide, a solid return for a tiny indie. Its strong performance relative to its budget helped it gain attention on the festival circuit.

Gosling's breakout performance in Half Nelson helped redefine what indie actors could achieve on a shoestring budget. The film is often cited as a benchmark for naturalistic, character driven drama from the mid 2000s, influencing later projects that mix gritty realism with tough subjects.

Critics praised its honesty and the way it handles hard topics without easy answers. The film examines the gray areas of mentorship and the pressures faced by students in tough environments, while showing how addiction tests personal ethics and relationships.