HALF NELSON
RYAN: I don’t know how you felt going into this movie, but I think we’re both ready for bed after seeing “Half Nelson.”
CAROLINE: I was very adamant about seeing this film and I don’t regret it because we enjoy Ryan Gosling. He plays a cracked-out public school teacher. And we like that he’s going out with or favorite actress Rachel McAdams.
RYAN: Yes. That’s what initially drew me into this film. However… I can’t say that I share in the “no regrets” sentiment. I don’t regret that I got to see a movie with you… but it’s the kind of movie I would have not finished if I were watching it at home – really, really boring in parts.
CAROLINE: It’s a slow movie for sure. It’s shot kind of documentary style. And it’s not fast-paced, I’ll give you that.
RYAN: A slow movie is fine. But when it’s slow and then too long… Had it been slow and a good 20 minutes shorter, it would have been better.
CAROLINE: Hmmm.
RYAN: I connected with the characters. The little girl was fantastic!
CAROLINE: It’s another gritty portrayal of a drug addict, much like some recent films we’ve seen. And the moral of the story is that drugs are bad.
RYAN: And I liked the juxtaposition of history and drug addiction.
CAROLINE: How so?
RYAN: Like the cuts between the kids giving their political monologues of history and then cut to what’s going on in his addiction life.
CAROLINE: Addiction is a theme. And there’s definitely some gasp-out-loud moments where you’re like, “I cannot believe he’s doing that.” And those moments are great; however, there’s a lot in between that’s boring. There’s no two ways about it.
RYAN: Exactly. And even those gasp moments, I felt a little dramatically unfulfilled. Maybe I’m desensitized, but I wanted a bit of absurd drama. I wanted some more “Sherrybaby.”
CAROLINE: Based on what we saw in “Sherrybaby,” the other moral of the story is that heroin is harder to beat than crack.
RYAN: (laughs) All right. Bottom line?
CAROLINE: You’re only gonna see this if you live in New York or L.A. It’s probably not playing anywhere else. We saw it for one Ryan Gosling. And it was good. But it wasn’t that good.
RYAN: That’s a good bottom line. Ryan Gosling’s hot and easy to look at.
CAROLINE: Smokin’ hot. And when he shaves at the end he looks like a different person.
RYAN: Yeah. Well, everyone does when they shave. But… er… I’m not gonna recommend this movie. But if he’s your favorite actor and you are gonna see it, why not?