Fletch's Video Miniview: Half Nelson

I call them "Video Miniviews," but in truth, they often end up being the same length as any normal (read: theatrical) review. I guess the only point that proves is that the medium in which I watch a film has no correlation to the length of the commentary in which I'm inclined to write about it.

What does this have to do with Half Nelson? Not much, except that in this case, the "mini" ought to come into play, as it has been a least three weeks since I saw it and yet I really don't have all that much to say about it. I guess in a way this makes me feel somewhat bad - after all, this is supposed to be one of 2006's best films, and I've a number of
non-critics sing its praises as well, comparing it to films such as Trainspotting.

So? I liked it. It is a "good film." It's well-made, albeit on a budget, with quality actors, a great soundtrack, and oodles of "atmosphere." But it really didn't strike me as being vastly memorable or "important" or whatever. The best thing about it, to no surprise, is the performance given by Ryan Gosling. He's a real character, immensely captivating to watch - heck, I'm even comptemplating watching the uber chick-flick The Notebook just to see his performance (and also eager to see the otherwise un-thrilling thriller Fracture based on his presence above all). And I guess that's the best possible thing that can be said about Nelson; after all, it is a character study.

Fletch's Film Rating:

"Darn tootin'!"