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The Half of It
2020 104 min United States of America PG-13 6+
★7.3
Comedy, Romance, Drama
Director: Alice Wu
Trailers
Description
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.
Starring
Leah Lewis
Actor
Daniel Diemer
Actor
Alexxis Lemire
Actor
Awards
6 wins & 10 nominations total
Key opinion
The Half of It is widely praised for subverting standard teen romance tropes to offer a nuanced, poetic exploration of identity and companionship. While some critics find the script uneven or the resolution unsatisfying, most appreciate its gentle, philosophical approach and the chemistry between the lead characters.
| Acting | The performances of Leah Lewis and Daniel Diemer provide the film with a natural, grounded chemistry that anchors the emotional narrative. | |
| Direction | Director Alice Wu successfully elevates the coming-of-age genre by replacing standard romantic clichés with deep, existential, and unconventional character dynamics. | |
| Production | The film creates an atmospheric, intimate, and visually cozy mood that effectively captures the feeling of a quiet, provincial American town. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is viewed as a point of contention; some admire its literary, philosophical depth, while others criticize its forced dialogue and uneven progression. | |
| Ending | The ending triggers disagreement: supporters find the avoidance of neat, traditional closure honorable and refreshing, whereas detractors feel the resolution is half-baked and unconvincing. |