Half Nelson

Dan Dunne, a history teacher and girls' basketball coach, inspires his students with philosophical discussions of historical events. However, his personal life is in chaos, with a distant family, drug addiction, and poor treatment of women. He forms an unlikely bond with 13-year-old Drey, a student and team player, who is dealing with her own issues, including a distant father, absent mother, and incarcerated older brother. Their friendship, though inappropriate, is based on their mutual struggles and desire for salvation in each other's lives.