Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Ryan Gosling | ... | Dan Dunne | |
Jeff Lima | ... | Roodly | |
Shareeka Epps | ... | Drey | |
Nathan Corbett | ... | Terrance | |
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Tyra Kwao-Vovo | ... | Stacy |
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Rosemary Ledee | ... | Gina |
Tristan Mack Wilds | ... | Jamal (as Tristan Wilds) | |
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Bryce Silver | ... | Bernard |
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Kaela C. Pabon | ... | Lena |
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Erica Rivera | ... | Erika (as Erika Rivera) |
Stephanie Bast | ... | Vanessa | |
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Eleanor Hutchins | ... | Simone |
Sebastian Sozzi | ... | Javier | |
Tina Holmes | ... | Rachel | |
Karen Chilton | ... | Karen |
Young Caucasian Dan Dunne teaches history and coaches the girls basketball team at a Brooklyn high school populated primarily by black and Hispanic students. To the chagrin of his superiors, Dan bucks the outlined curriculum of historical facts in favor of the philosophy of historical events, generally discussing the concept of dialectics. As such, he captures the imagination of his students, at least in the classroom. Outside of the classroom, Dan's life is in shambles. He has a distant but cordial relationship with his family. He uses illicit drugs rampantly. Although his former girlfriend Rachel was able to clean up her drug habit, Dan believes that rehab will not work for him. Due to a combination of these issues, he treats women poorly. Thirteen year old Drey is a student in his class and a player on his basketball team. Drey has her own problems. Her parents are divorced, with her father a virtually non-existent figure in her life and her EMT mother generally absent as she is ... Written by Huggo
I am teacher. And I saw this film from the angle of my job. As a realistic portrait of a special universe. As honest image of the essence of a work. As one of the most inspired performances of Ryan Gosling. As a great film. About the deep reality behind the appearences. A film about truth. And eulogy of friendship. Short, a teacher, his student and the fight against him. Enough for few questions about near reality and the choices around it.