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The Half of It Movie Review

The Half of It is a 2020 indie dramedy film directed by Alice Wu and starring Leah Lewis. It’s such a unique, charming film.

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“The good thing about being different

is that no one expects you to be like them“

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A shy, introverted student helps the school jock woo a girl whom they secretly both want. This premise is immensely original, but the type of unique premise that seems very simple and that it could have been made before, but only now did somebody decide to make this happen. It worked for me because I respected its authenticity.

The epistolary and very literary approach was done for better and for worse, and it’s the one aspect that can make this film polarizing for some people. I liked it to a degree as I found it sophisticated, but still the narration was quite overwhelming as was the use of many literary quotes. The highlight was the emphasis on texting, that made the film both relevant and relatable.

My favorite scene in the film has to be that ending. Unlike many films that are either fairy tales throughout or extremely realistic through and through, this one is a mix of the two. It certainly seemed as if it were going into fairy tale, happy ending territory, but it then pulls the rug beneath you with that uncommonly grounded in reality finale that was ambiguous just enough.

I absolutely loved the characters here as the characterization is so strong. Ellie Chu is this highly smart and awkward Asian-American girl who also happens to be gay. Leah Lewis is phenomenal in the role, and very much uglified for the role as she is beautiful in real life. Her arc is the best one, though I also really liked Paul, and I found their friendship truly wonderful and so well developed. Their scenes together are the best ones. As for Aster, she is impossibly pretty and clever, thus perfect for these two to obsess over.

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The Half of It is very well directed by Alice Wu while also being well paced and engaging to watch. It’s well shot too with the opening animation being splendid and some artistic touches here and there are terrific, especially when it comes to lettering. I just wish the film incorporated less stereotypes in its story –  the small town setting, dumb jocks, making fun of quirky people etc.

The Half of It has its stereotypical plot points as well as too much narration, but the epistolary approach is mostly very interesting here. Its very authentic premise was quite well utilized for laughs and a lot of heart. The characters are so well developed and the highlight is that unexpectedly realistic ending that intriguingly contrasted with a previously romanticized approach.

My Rating – 4

If you liked The Half of It, you can get Alice Wu’s previous movie on Amazon.