by MALCOLM FRASER

At a time when American films, both major and indie, seem to rely on a stock of dependable clichés, Half Nelson is more like a piledriver. Director Ryan Fleck and writer/producer/editor Anna Boden have created a film so original and unpredictable that in the current climate, it’s almost shocking.

Dan (Ryan Gosling) is a teacher in an inner-city Brooklyn high school by day, and a crackhead by night. When his student Drey (Shareeka Epps) finds out about his extracurricular activities, the secret brings them closer, but also impedes his attempts to steer her away from a promising career with local coke dealer Frank (Anthony Mackie). This premise is interesting enough on its own, but it only scratches the surface of what’s going on in the film.

More than any American film in recent memory—or possibly ever—Half Nelson refuses to fall back on stereotypes or caricatures in its depiction of drug culture. The filmmakers portray Dan as a complicated human being, a profoundly troubled man who makes many questionable decisions but struggles to live his life as ethically as he can. Gosling, who’s made his own questionable decisions on the career front (Stay, The Notebook) is a revelation, investing the part with great subtlety and humanity. Epps and Mackie are equally strong in complex, difficult roles.

Fleck and Boden’s approach extends to the narrative as well. They scrupulously avoid clichés—every time you expect the plot to go the well-trod path, they sidestep it and take another direction, but never in a forced or gimmicky way. The film also has a great visual style, full of long close-ups that let the actors play out the emotional tone of the scenes.

Even more surprising is the film’s political angle. Gosling has the nutty idea of teaching the kids American history through a decidedly lefty paradigm, and even to hear the characters occasionally discussing politics is refreshingly unexpected. Half Nelson isn’t a perfect film—it drags in parts and the ending is somewhat unsatisfying—but these days, it’s about as close as it gets.

Half Nelson opens Friday, Sept. 15

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