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The Half of It is similar, to a point, with Never Have I Ever, in that it’s a school-based tale of love where things don’t always go to plan.
This time round, the female protagonist is Chinese-American Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis, above), living in the fictional area of Squahamish, New York – living alone with her father after her mother died when she was young, and she makes some extra cash on the side by writing successful essays for her fellow students.
Her next job comes from high school jock Paul Munsky (Daniel Diemer), who doesn’t need help with his studies, but in getting together with the girl of his dreams, Aster (Alexxis Lemire). However, while Aster’s already dating show-off Trig (Wolfgang Novogratz), the tangled web being woven is made even more complex by the fact that the socially-awkward Ellie has the hots for… Aster; And it may just be reciprocated.
So, it’s like a modern day Cyrano De Bergerac for the texting generation.
Along the way, there’s a mild diversion as you see Paul become obsessed with his new creation of ‘taco sausage’, but when it comes to the main plot, if you know the story of Cyrano already, then you know what to expect… and if you don’t, then don’t look it up if you’re planning to watch this. May as well get some surprises.
However, one main problem in the whole 104 minutes is that The Half Of It take an age to get where you know it’s got to be going…
The title comes from the hypothesis that we’re all a half of something and we’re looking for another half to make us whole, and overall, the film is fairly entertaining and engaging, but it won’t change your life.
The Half Of It is not available to pre-order on Blu-ray or DVD, but is on Netflix from tomorrow.
Cert: 
Running time: 104 minutes
Release date: May 1st 2020
Studio: Netflix
Format: 2.35:1
Rating: 6/10
Score: 6/10
Director: Alice Wu
Producers: Blair Breard, Anthony Bregman, Alice Wu
Writer: Alice Wu
Music: Anton Sanko
Cast:
Ellie Chu: Leah Lewis
Paul Munsky: Daniel Diemer
Aster Flores: Alexxis Lemire
Trig Carson: Wolfgang Novogratz
Edwin Chu: Collin Chou
Mrs. Geselschap: Becky Ann Baker
Deacon Flores: Enrique Murciano
Colleen Munsky: Catherine Curtin
Solange: Haley Murphy
Paul’s Friend: Alex D Jennings
Tommy Munsky: Billy Thomas Myott
Bill Munsky: Matt Meinsen
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.