The Half of It (2020)

When smart but cash-strapped teen Ellie Chu agrees to write a love letter for a jock, she doesn't expect to become his friend - or fall for his crush.

Director:

Alice Wu

Writer:

Alice Wu

Stars:

Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer, Alexxis Lemire

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leah Lewis	...	Ellie Chu
Daniel Diemer	...	Paul Munsky
Alexxis Lemire	...	Aster Flores
Wolfgang Novogratz	...	Trig Carson
Collin Chou	...	Edwin Chu
Becky Ann Baker	...	Mrs. Geselschap
Enrique Murciano	...	Deacon Flores
MacIntyre Dixon	...	Father Shanley (as Macintyre Dixon)
Catherine Curtin	...	Colleen Munsky
Alec Tincher	...	Senior Guy (In Hallway)
Bonnie Flannery	...	Senior Girl (In Hallway)
Tyler Crozier	...	Truck Teen
Spencer Wawak	...	Hangout Dude
Patrick T. Johnson	...	Tom Carson
Gabi Samels	...	Quaddie Girl #1 (Amber) (as Gabrielle Samels)

Storyline

A shy, introverted, Chinese-American, straight-A student finds herself helping the school jock woo the girl they both secretly love. In the process, each teaches the other about the nature of love as they find connection in the most unlikely of places.

---

Plot Keywords:

lesbian | chinese american | love triangle | teenager | falling in love | 

---

Taglines:

a different kind of love story

---

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief language and teen drinking

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ellie composes her song (and later performs it on a Spanish guitar). This is a further hint at her love for Aster as Spanish guitars became staples of Mexican music after being imported during Spanish colonization.

---

Goofs

When Ellie and Aster are in the hot springs talking, only their eyes, mouth, and nose are above water. Since their ears were under water, they could not hear each other or respond to each other's questions.

---

Quotes

Colleen Munsky: Mommy wants you to know, in case you ARE gay, Mommy still loves you.
Paul Munsky: I'm not gay, Mom.
Colleen Munsky: Thank God.
Paul Munsky: I might... want to change our sausage recipe, though.
Colleen Munsky: Are you insane? I LOVE that recipe!
[strikes Paul with her purse]

---

Connections

Features The Philadelphia Story (1940)

---

Soundtracks

Flame
Written by Jonathan Bellinger
Performed by Controller

User Reviews

Not a lesbian love story

I'm in tears. I went into this movie expecting a lesbian love story after seeing the trailer. One might even say, the romances in the story were the least important. This is a love story, no doubt, but not what you would expect. It is a beautiful story about an unexpected friendship.

What I think the movie did especially well was that there was a really limited number of main characters and they had really put effort into creating the personalities for these characters. Usually characters like Aster (the beautiful love interest) are really vain and the viewer rarely gets to no them. The premise is also amazing in its simplicity - a senior year of high school in a small town.

Moreover, acting, directing, sound music was amazing. There is really nothing I would change. I kept trying to guess the plot subconsiously, but I never guessed right. I think the story wrapped up beautifully, maybe not in the traditional sense of happy ending but in its own way.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Site

Country:

USA

Language:

Spanish Hindi English Mandarin French

Release Date:

1 May 2020 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Half of It

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Likely Story

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1