Half Nelson (2006)

In the bustling heart of Brooklyn, charismatic history teacher Dan Dunne skillfully navigates the diverse classrooms of a high school teeming with black and Hispanic students. He defies conventional expectations, trading dry historical facts for the pulsating philosophy of events, using the concept of dialectics to spark the imagination of his students. But with each bell, he steps out of his classroom's sanctuary and into the chaos of his life. Despite the distant cordiality with his family and a past love who conquered her own demons, Dan is held captive by a relentless cycle of substance abuse. His world collides with that of thirteen-year-old Drey, a player on his basketball team and pupil in his class. Drey's life is a labyrinth of struggles. Her parents are divorced, her overworked EMT mother is often absent, her brother is imprisoned for drug dealing, and she is under the unwelcome protection of a local dealer, Frank. Their lives intersect at an unexpected crossroads when Drey stumbles upon Dan in the throes of his addiction, shattering the facade of the inspirational teacher. This discovery weaves an unconventional bond between Dan and Drey. Their relationship, viewed as inappropriate by those in the know, thrives on their mutual inability to grapple with their personal battles. Yet, in this shared chaos, they find an unexpected refuge in each other. Their connection teeters on a precipice, with the potential to spiral into disaster or transform into a beacon of hope. Half Nelson explores these intertwined lives, illuminating the delicate balance between despair and salvation in their tumultuous world.

Half Nelson is a drama movie featuring Ryan Gosling.

Half Nelson is currently streaming for free (ad-supported) on Crackle, Freevee, Kanopy, Peacock, Peacock Premium, Plex, Plex Player, Shout! Factory TV, Tubi TV and VUDU Free and it's also available on Cohen Media Amazon Channel, Hoopla and fuboTV.

It is also possible to buy Half Nelson on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Microsoft Store, Vudu and YouTube.