Half Nelson
“Secrets don't let go.”
Synopsis
Despite his dedication to the junior-high students who fill his classroom, idealistic teacher Dan Dunne leads a secret life of addiction that the majority of his students will never know. But things change when a troubled student Drey makes a startling discovery of his secret life, causing a tenuous bond between the two that could either end disastrously or provide a catalyst of hope.
Trailers, Teasers & Extra Featurettes
Official promotional previews, behind-the-scenes footage, and exclusive clips.
HALF NELSON trailerOfficial
Type: Trailer • Published 2007-02-22
Top Cast
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Ryan Gosling
Dan Dunne
Shareeka Epps
Drey
Anthony Mackie
Frank
Jeff Lima
Roodly
Monique Gabriela Curnen
Isabel
Tina Holmes
Rachel
Nathan Corbett
Terrance
Tyra Kwao-Vovo
Stacy
Rosemary Ledee
Gina
Tristan Mack Wilds
Jamal
Bryce Silver
Bernard
Kaela C. Pabon
Lena
Erica Rivera
Erika
Stephanie Bast
Vanessa
Eleanor Hutchins
Simone
Sebastian Sozzi
Javier
Karen Chilton
Karen
Starla Benford
Principal Henderson
Release History & Theatrical Window
Locarno Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
August 11, 2006
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Financials & Box Office Performance
Production Budget
$700K
Filming & production cost
Worldwide Gross
$4.9M
Total global ticket sales
Box Office Return
7.02x
+$4.2M net gain
Theatrical Status
Mega Hit
Box office tier
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Ryan Fleck
- Screenplay & Story
- Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden
- Original Score
- Kevin Drew
- Original Title
- Half Nelson
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 1h 47m
- Production Budget
- $700K
- Worldwide Gross
- $4.9M
- Production Studios
- Hunting Lane Films, Journeyman Pictures, Original Media, Silverwood Films, Traction Media
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Ryan Fleck
Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden
Kevin Drew
Andrij Parekh
Anna Boden
Lynette Howell Taylor, Rosanne Korenberg, Scott London, Doug Dey, Alex Orlovsky
Department Leadership Roster
Lynette Howell Taylor
Producer
Ryan Fleck
Director
Rosanne Korenberg
Producer
Anna Boden
Editor
Alex Orlovsky
Producer
Jamie Patricof
Producer
Anna Boden
Producer
Andrij Parekh
Director of Photography
Beth Mickle
Production Design
Erin Benach
Costume Design
Kevin Drew
Original Music Composer
Ryan Fleck
Writer
Anna Boden
Writer
Age Classification & Content Advisories
Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.
R: Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
International Certification Matrix
FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.
Suitable only for 15 years and over.
Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Half Nelson.
Featured In Curated Collections
Editorial lists, community rankings, and cinematic collections featuring Half Nelson.
My Movies
Master List In Progress
North American Cinema
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RGCU
Ryan Gosling Cinematic Universe
Favorite Actors
Coming of Age
vison of mind
Imported from MUBI list: https://mubi.com/en/lists/vison-of-mind
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Frequently Asked Questions About Half Nelson
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Half Nelson about?
Despite his dedication to the junior-high students who fill his classroom, idealistic teacher Dan Dunne leads a secret life of addiction that the majority of his students will never know. But things change when a troubled student Drey makes a startling discovery of his secret life, causing a tenuous bond between the two that could either end disastrously or provide a catalyst of hope.
Who directed Half Nelson?
Half Nelson was directed by Ryan Fleck.
Who stars in Half Nelson?
The principal cast of Half Nelson includes Ryan Gosling, Shareeka Epps, Anthony Mackie, Jeff Lima, Monique Gabriela Curnen.
When was Half Nelson released and how long is it?
Half Nelson was released in 2006 with a total runtime of 1h 47m.
What was the box office and production budget of Half Nelson?
Half Nelson had a reported production budget of $700K and grossed $4.9M at the worldwide box office (7.02 return on budget, classified as a blockbuster success).
Who composed the musical score for Half Nelson?
The original motion picture soundtrack for Half Nelson was composed by Kevin Drew.
What is the age rating and content advisory for Half Nelson?
Half Nelson holds official age classifications: CA: R; DE: 12 (FSK 12 — Restricted to viewers aged 12 and older.); GB: 15 (Suitable only for 15 years and over.); US: R (Restricted — Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.).