The Half of It
Pupule rating 3.5 (out 4)
Netflix (2020)
One of the rare times when I don't read the summary/synopsis of a movie. Maybe it's the fact that clicking on an app to see a movie rather than forking over dollars at a theater has me feeling more casual and accepting. Nah. I'm always going to be rough on bad movies and shows. This, however, was really good. This offering by writer-director Alice Chu had me from the start.
Between Ellie (Leah Lewis), Paul (Daniel Dietmer) and Aster (Alexxis Lemire), there's a gradual build of friendship that belies what might read on a one-sentence description: high school love triangle in a small rural town. But the wrinkles are real texture. Ellie, the town's only Chinese high school student. The English teacher who expresses dismay, but tolerates the student's side hustle — ghost-writing papers for classmates. The sensitive football player, Paul, who needs Ellie's help in writing one letter, then a dozen more, to the apple of his eye, Aster.
This easily, in the hands of another director and writer, could have turned into a Jerry Springer battle royale. Instead, Lewis, who is 23 and easily passes for high school age, brings a poignancy and inner righteousness to Ellie that makes her admirable regardless of her lack of popularity. Chu allows the rough edges to unfold, and though the pace is patient and the small-town vibe is Mayberry RFDish from afar, there seems no way to avoid an ultimate disaster for one, two or all three main characters.
In the end, I actually wish there was more of them to see. No one wins, and all three lose to a degree. They won me over, and I wasn't expecting that. I miss them already.
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