It's hardly a film which trumpets its virtues but that's part of the pleasure to be had from it. It doesn't know how good it is.

It's impressively adult, sure-footed filmmaking, and that Best Actor nod was definitely deserved.

Dunne [Gosling] is an enjoyable and impressive creation, justifiably recognised with an Oscar nomination for Gosling earlier this year.

Bleakly filmed and well told, "Half Nelson" soars because of the immaculate acting by Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps. Gosling's both alluring and pitiful as an addict, while Epps hits all the right notes as a child who's seen too much hardship.