The Half of It
2020 · Directed by Alice Wu
Original language: English
- comedy
- romance
- drama
The story
Shy, straight-A student Ellie is hired by sweet but inarticulate jock Paul, who needs help wooing the most popular girl in school. But their new and unlikely friendship gets tricky when Ellie discovers she has feelings for the same girl.
What it’s like
Warm, unfussy natural light and a soft, lived-in palette of greys, pine greens and dusty blues give this one the feel of a damp Washington autumn spent indoors: bedrooms full of books, diners with fogged windows, a river town under overcast skies that break into golden hour on the drive home. The camera stays patient, mostly in medium shots and quiet two-shots that let faces do the talking, and the handwritten letters and small rituals of teenage correspondence are given room to breathe. The score is gentle piano and understated strings, with long stretches of ambient school-day noise and rain. Vibe: wistful, funny, tender, a little awkward in the best way. It suits a rainy Sunday, a comfort rewatch, or a quiet evening alone. Pacing is conversational and unhurried, with comedy coming from dry banter and social mishaps rather than slapstick. Emotionally it follows a bright, guarded teen learning to say what she feels, and a boy learning to be honest about his own heart, with friendship doing as much work as romance. Intensity is low: some teen drinking and mild profanity, a brief tense moment, and a tender kiss, with no real violence or graphic content. It is for viewers who want a sweet, sincere coming-of-age romance with heart and humour.
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