Has anyone watched this movie more than once. I've seen it probably five times, because I tend to be obsessive about films I really like. I wanted to mention the scene where Dan is crying in the car, after being with his family. It hit home.
Not bad, for a cowboy
Oh yeah. I sometimes get in a frame of mind where I have to watch indie dramas about likable characters in a downward spiral - usually when I want to wallow a bit - and this one has a firm place in that rotation. ('Trainspotting' is another classic, and I'll even defend Ross from Friends in 'Dwayne Hopwood'.)
I love the whole bit with his family, it's like a one act play that is separate from and connected to the rest of the film at the same time. The scene where Drey shows up at the motel with the drugs and Broken Social Scene is playing really loud is another standout to me.
God, I love that whole scene -- the music!!!Yes! He's crouched there reaching up to her.
Not bad, for a cowboy
Yes. Ryan Gosling is my favorite actor and until recently Half Nelson was my favorite (Gosling) movie. And I actually really like Dan despite the fact that he's a drug addict which I despise in real life. Gosling'll do that to me.
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Move out of my way or I will MAKE you move out of my way. --Sydney Bristow.
What's your favorite Gosling movie now? Blue Valentine?
shareI saw this film in the theatre and recently viewed it a second time on DVD. I am a teacher, so some scenes resonated with me particularly well, but what the second viewing afforded me was a chance to notice some EXTREMELY strong parallels between this film and Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans, especially in the final two scenes, down to the composition of the shot, the thematic significance, the locations, and the use of jokes.
If you haven't seen Bad Lieutenant, I highly recommend it. It is one of the best films of the last year. It covers some similar territory as Half-Nelson but is considerably darker, but also bizarelly hilarious in scenes. If you've ever wondered what a trippy, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas-take on The Wire would be like, this is your film. Some of the scenes are David Lynchian in their ability to be disturbing, beautiful, and funny all at the same time.
I don't understand why people can't enjoy life. It's Not That Complicated. Some people “waste their talent” (If someone has talent they still have to work very hard if they want to be very good at something).
Because not everyone's life is enjoyable.
shareMe too. It's such a simple equation for us north americans:
1. be born white
2. have educated parents
3. pass high school and get accepted to uni
4. pass uni (and pay 50,000 to cover it).
5. find job
6. find girl
7. inseminate
8. retire
Very easy. So many suckers can't do it.
I wonder why?
Watched this film more than ten times. I loathe to assign over-significance to fictional movies but this character study likely rings true to most conflicted, good-hearted folk with a weak spot for self destruction.
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I think this film got better for me on second viewing. I can't really figure out how good it was the first time because of how good the performances were. I get to appreciate the film itself much more upon second viewing.
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I agree! Thought it was ok 1stladies time. Liked it 2nd time. Loved it 3rda time! There's just so much to pick up on, that it takes more than one viewing!
my dad, never liked you..
Just watched it again for the 5th times the other day, still feel like I first watched it in 2006, still felt devastated for Dan, still want very much to extend my hand out to pull him out of his misery.
shareAnd not a single critics' awards sigh.
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