
His closet crack habit, however, is a self-inflicted gash. Dan leads a double life, inspiring by day but a warning at night.
What could have easily been a typical “over coming obstacles” movie that warms your heart quickly changes by the discovery of his secret by one of his students Drey (Shareeka Epps) that boosts the story to a higher place. In a wrenching scene, borne of Dan's foolish risk-taking, Drey looks on as he tries to preserve some shred of authority through his heroin haze. Her eyes tell the story, another adult she had faith in has disappointed her, but this time she didn’t expect it.

Our hopes quickly shift to Drey, who seems the worthier of them.
Even as Dan plummets down the rutted skids of his addiction, he tries to play the white knight against Drey's drug-dealing protector, Frank, who is also his supplier. Anthony Mackie renders this role with surprising nuance, a family man whose assistance makes sense within his context, even as it risks drawing Drey to the same fate as her brother.
Ryan Gosling gives an emotionally honest performance as a young man unable to control his own life, but still trying to be a mentor to the kids he teaches. You feel the sadness in his eyes, and the disappointment in that this is what he has become.

No comments:
Post a Comment