The Half of It
WithThe Half of It , Netflix debut its 2d new adult retell ofCyrano de Bergeracin so many age , following 2018’sSierra Burgess is a Loser . But whereSierraflipped the gender of the story ’s leads , The Half of Itbrings a queer plot line into this gamey school - pose reinvention of the classic story . Written and directed by Alice Wu ( Saving Face),The Half of Itfollows a straight - A pupil who compose theme for her schoolfellow to make supernumerary money . She gets hired by a football instrumentalist to write a letter to the girlfriend he ’s in love with , but she has feelings for the miss as well . The one-half of Itputs a odd YA twisting on a Graeco-Roman romance story , but Wu make it her own - delivering a wizard , sweet and altogether heartfelt movie .
Ellie Chu ( Leah Lewis ) is a lone wolf with no friends , but a booming black marketplace essay writing fizgig at her eminent schooling when she ’s approached by lovesick jock Paul Munsky ( Daniel Diemer ) to avail him write a love letter of the alphabet to the girlfriend of his pipe dream : Aster Flores ( Alexxis Lemire ) . Ellie and Paul become close-fitting friend as they ’re working together to woo Aster , with the lovable jock breaking down many of the walls Ellie has put up over the year of being an outsider in their small town . But as both Ellie and Paul ’s feelings for Aster deepen , the three teen form a love trilateral that will force each of them to present their views on dearest and relationships .
Related : Netflix : Every Movie and TV Show Releasing In May 2020
ThoughThe Half of Itis ostensibly a teen rom - com , it ’s also a coming of age story for Ellie as she discovers what it intend to be in dearest - what it intend forherto be in love - and how to live her life to the fullest . Wu ’s story offer an incredibly well - crafted discharge about a queer teenager who ’s coming to term with their sexuality in a story that ’s much more nuanced than some other mainstream movies about LGBTQ youth . Ellie does n’t talk about her sexuality with a straight assuredness of someone much older . She ’s hesitant , but her sexuality is n’t lay to rest in subtext - it ’s a delicate balance that Wu walks beautifully . The story ofThe Half of Itmay be recognizable to viewers as a retelling ofCyrano , and the coming of years aspect of the pic cook it universally relatable , but Ellie ’s plot line is one not often seen in Hollywood motion picture . Thanks to Wu ’s script and instruction , it ’s not only an of import story , but a compelling one .
Helping to bring Wu ’s taradiddle to life is the young cast , the core trio of which do most of the heavy lifting - though Collin Chou delivers a cordially compelling supporting carrying into action as Ellie ’s Padre Edwin Chu . Still , for the most part it ’s Lewis , Diemer and Lemire carryingThe one-half of It , and they do so with free grace and deftness . Lewis is especially captivating to watch as Ellie , who scramble to find out what passion is through her relationships with Paul and Aster . It ’s not often that teenagers in motion-picture show actually sense like teenagers ( though it ’s more uncouth now ) , but Lewis captures the awkwardness and uncertainty of a teenager exceptionally well . Similarly , Diemer ’s Paul is the charmingly open foil to Ellie ’s more hold personality . The two are sweet to determine , and their friendly relationship easily becomes the aroused heart of the moving picture . While Lemire is given slightly less to work with , she bring a much - needed astuteness and warmness to Aster to help oneself attach the movie ’s emotional themes together .
WithThe Half of It , Wu ’s a la mode motion-picture show join the roll of Netflix amorous comedies - specifically its YA rom - coms . Though it may be liken toSierra Burgess is a Loserfor adapting the same story orTo All the Boys I ’ve Loved Beforefor have an Asian - American lead , The one-half of Itsets itself apart as a uniquely touching story of young love and self - realization . Perhaps whatThe Half of Itshares most with these other Netflix release is that it likely would n’t have been made or released under the typical studio apartment - theatrical model , which would have been a shame . Wu ’s vision for herCyranoretelling brings an entirely fresh and delightful tailspin to the classic with her heartfelt story of a queer teen learning about romanticistic love and the platonic love life of friendship .
As such , The Half of Itis certainly deserving see to it out for anyone interested in teen rom - coms , queer love stories and/or hail of years tale . Wu ’s filmmaking sensibility avail to arrange the movie asunder from other teen - pitch Romance language films , while her book tells a story not often seen in Hollywood , particularly in moving picture made for young adult . The one-half of Itwill be an of import movie for viewers who particularly bear on to Ellie , but Wu depicts Ellie ’s story in such a elbow room that it can be relatable to all audiences . So Netflix substance abuser looking for a new picture to find out , peculiarly one with themes of love and hope , wo n’t go wrong withThe Half of It .
Next : The Half of It Trailer
The Half of Itis now stream on Netflix . It is 104 minute long and is rated PG-13 for brief language and stripling drinking .
The Half of It is a 2020 Netflix original movie about Ellie Chu. Ellie is an intelligent teen who agrees to write a love letter for a jock to send to his crush. But things get complicated when she makes an unexpected friendship with the boy and falls in love with his crush.
Cast
The Half of It is a 2020 Netflix original movie about Ellie Chu . Ellie is an intelligent teen who agrees to write a erotic love varsity letter for a athlete to direct to his crush . But things get complicated when she makes an unexpected friendly relationship with the boy and fall in making love with his calf love .
