MOVIE REVIEW

Putri Anggarani SG./221214024

TITLE : “The Half of It” a Netflix movie that will worth watching if you do not only
watch half of its story.

By Alice Wu

Self-discovery phase of your journey may get chaotic at some point in your life. Especially
when it comes to finding love. In teenage years, when you find somebody or “a stranger”
attracted to you, it would make you think they are the love of your life. Then troubles come
around then you feel like an outcast. Love triangles happen a lot during that phase of time.
Ever have your friend write a love story for you then turns out that one friend had a crush on
your crush too? If yes, then this Netflix movie would make you feel like you are not alone.
That is what Alice Wu tries to pass on to you.

In the small remote town of Squahamish, coming-of-age modern life. Ellie Chu (Leah
Lewis), an introverted girl who has no friends, would write essays for her fellow students in
exchange for some cash. Ellie is known as a genius, multitalent girl, also with her excellent
skills in writing. One day, Paul Munsky, played by Daniel Diemer, approached Ellie and
asked her to write a love letter for his crush, Aster Flores (Alexxis Lemire). Ellie rejected
Paul’s request at first but because the overdue bills in her house started getting out of hand,
she made a deal. “One letter and we’re done.”, Ellie said. As Ellie starts writing the love
letters to Aster she realizes that she shares many interests with Aster, leading to deepening
the connection between the two girls. On Paul’s behalf they get to exchange letters more
often, gradually forming a genuine bond of friendship and understanding. However, Aster
believes that Paul is the one writing the letters, unaware of Ellie's involvement.

Leah Lewis as the lead character presents excellent moves as a book-worm high school
student with high intelligence, Ellie Chu. She serves the role of being mature at such a young
age where most of the girls at her school would spend a lot of time talking about boys, her
face expression, movement, and words spoken are being well done. Even though all of it is
scripted she managed to deliver it with her own characteristic. Daniel Diemer as the second
lead character presents a good enough role of a teenage boy in platonic love, Paul Munsky.
Even though he got all that acting, I don’t think he really fit into the characteristics of a high
school student since his body is too burly.

The start of the movie represents a proverb saying about finding a soulmate. In my personal
opinion the very first scene would bring an introduction and deep meaning to the movie. The
scene where Paul would stand for Ellie biking through the way home while their fellow
classmate would mock her is beautiful. Where it shows how friends should be. The way Paul
would go to Ellie’s house so often until it made her dad thinks that they are dating is cute.
“The Half of It” mostly speaks about self-exploration taking the theme a slice of life. It aimed
to speak about identity, connection, and love while promoting authenticity, empathy, and
self-acceptance as important moral values. More or less it is about embracing ourselves and
to be aware of our feelings. The movie emphasises the importance of being authentic and true
to yourself. Ellie's journey centres on finding herself and learning to accept her identity in the
face of adversity. The importance of being honest about who you are and finding the courage
to live honestly despite the pressures of society.

There are some scenes using brief language and teen drinking, that make this movie a PG-13.
At some point, this movie is suitable for anyone who has struggle in discovering oneself.
Personally, I would recommend this movie to my friends who love the spice of romance,
comedy, and drama. I would not regret to ask somebody out watching this movie with some
popcorn and soda, nor would you.

Scale of 1-5 :
4.5