The Half of It

By Quinn Marcus

The Half of It

(2020)

Age: 13+

80/100: Sweet

“Love isn’t patient and kind and humble. Love is messy, and horrible, and selfish, and bold.” The Half of It was written and directed by Alice Wu, director of Saving Face. In a Roxanne type of love story, cash-strapped but brilliant teen Ellie Chu agrees to help write a love letter to a girl a charming jock named Paul Munsky likes. But as soon as writing a single letter becomes helping Paul learn everything about this girl, they form a friendship, a deeper understanding of each other. However, what Ellie didn’t expect was falling for his crush in the process.

I decided to watch this one rainy afternoon on another lovely day of quarantine after realizing that I hadn’t seen all the films 2020 had to offer. Also, it was the only one of my 30-second search online I could find that had positive reviews and was free to watch on Netflix. I must say, I was truly impressed with what this film had to offer. I’m not exactly the romantic film kinda guy. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely love movies like Notting Hill and A Star Is Born (2018). But if I had to pick my least favorite genre, I might have to pick this. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy the genre, I just can’t say it’s one of my favorites. Anyways, you probably want me to just get to the point and tell you what I thought, well you’re about to get your wish. Here are my main flaws.

1. The construction of the story sometimes was a little iffy. At times, I felt that the way that the story was woven together didn’t always work, but I still loved the concept. 2. There were a couple of characters that I believe could have had more screen time to develop. Ellie’s dad and her teacher seemed like they could have been excellent characters, but they just weren’t given enough time on screen. If you take a film like The Edge of Seventeen, the main character, Nadine (Hailee Steinfeld) has a teacher (Woody Harrelson). His character is just so well done. The Half of It had a chance to have supporting characters like that but only took that opportunity halfway. Those were my flaws with the film, now here are my positives. 1. The story. I know I said before that the story wasn’t perfect, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t great overall. It was dramatic when it needed to be, and comedic when it wanted to be. And besides not being executed without fail. I found The Half of Its story to be a (mostly) bold new take on the genre. 2. The script and (main) characters. Although having weaker supporting characters, the big three, Ellie, Paul, and Aster were handled expertly and had incredible character development throughout. The script may have had some inconsistencies plotwise, but I thought it was relentlessly intelligent and entertaining, just like the protagonist. 3. The directing by Alice Wu. She hasn’t directed a film in 16 years. But I have to say, she obviously has skill with this genre. Alice Wu managed to craft a brilliant, bold, flawed yet fun romantic dramedy that stands out in the crowded genre. 

The cast including Leah Lewis (Nancy Drew), Daniel Diemer (Bloody Blacksmith), and Alexxis Lemire (The Art of Murder) all had committed and deep performances. All of them were able to portray their well-established characters with ease. Providing beautiful, comedic, and brave moments of character as well as proving to be natural actors with a definite bright future. 

The Half of It is a perfect teen film. It has its fill of language, uses of sh-t, and fu-k. There is some drinking at a high school party. Ellie drinks too much and vomits afterward. There are a couple of minor conversations about being gay, a possible lesbian couple emerges. However, the film deeply explores its multilayered themes about friendship, love, and sticking up for each other, and accepting each other’s differences.