#28 - Half Nelson*

Directed by Ryan Fleck
2006 Drama
Rated R

*****

Ryan Gosling gives one of the most brilliant performances of the past twenty years in Ryan Fleck's pitch-perfect study of an inner-city schoolteacher (Gosling), struggling with a crack addiction who is discovered by one of his students (Shareeka Epps), and the friendship that is formed as a cause of it. The film (which was largely improvised) is anchored by its brilliant performances, great direction and perfectly appropriate score (provided mainly by Broken Social Scene). This is a film for the ages.