At the beginning, writer/director Alice Wu’s movie, The Half of It, doesn’t appear to be particularly different from the high school films you may have seen before. Yet, as you continue watching, it soon reveals itself to be more than you expected.

Starring Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer and Alexxis Lemire, Wu’s film turns into a beautiful, sweet and well written story about two high school students who bond over the girl they both secretly love. 

As someone who’s always been partial to well-told stories of beautiful friendships, The Half of It ticks a lot of boxes for me. From the scenes that showed the growth of the bond between seventeen-year-old Ellie (Lewis) and Paul (Diemer), to the film’s pacing, dialogue and the believable performances by the young, talented cast. As I watched The Half of It, I found myself interested, engaged and often moved.

I also like that Paul and Ellie’s friendship isn’t the kind that doesn’t get tested. It is, in fact, the smart way the story navigates those all-important tests through the key themes that emerge, which made me like Wu’s movie even more. 

Watch The Half of It because it’s good but also for a beautiful friendship story that features the kind of connection and love that absolutely anyone would be lucky to have. After all, as per the film’s trailer, ‘Not every love story is a romance’ 

Happy Film Loving,

G