I think it’s fair to at least ask if there’s such a thing as the Curse of Ryan Gosling. Excepting The Notebook and The Believer, every film Gosling has made has been very well chosen — i.e., hip, smart, serious, indie-level…but they’ve all turned out a bit precious and unsatisfying. Murder by Numbers, The United States of Leland, Stay, The Slaughter Rule…all smart-and-sensitive, all problem movies. Which is why I haven’t yet gone to see Gosling’s latest, Half Nelson, whcih I’ve heard is pretty good. I’m getting used to his type of film and I’m sorry but I’m starting to cool off.
