Movie Man Darian Watching All Night Long

The Half Of It 

This was a incredible film with such heart. The film isn’t your typical coming of age film it steers away from the tropes that it could of easily of fallen into. The result is a film that delivers on showing this really touching love story that doesn’t try to be a love story but subtly goes into that direction without it seeming cheesy or like a trope. The film also captures a raw honesty and truth to what it’s like to be a teenager in that awkward stage of your life and all the social anxiety that comes with it and you can feel that through the frame. That raw emotional truth I haven’t seen in a coming of age  film for sometime as it doesn’t try to be over dramatic but really grounds the story in such an authentic and genuine way that on some level anyone can relate to what the main character is going through as it’s so relatable but also be able to tell a compelling narrative that is brought to life in that setting of coming of age that has not been done before. It’s funny, emotional heavy at times and also romantic this film delivers on all levels. 

Firstly, the performances in this film are brilliant! The lead performance in this film given by Leah Lewis is outstanding as she brings a emotionally reserved performance to the surface. As we see she talks a lot to herself as she is full of very heavy handed thoughts about life and love but she never expresses them to anyone except to herself. Which I thought was interesting as she has a incredible way with words but when it would come to being social she is very quiet and shy and how Leah brought that quality to the screen was honest and engaging as she brought such a range of emotions she explores throughout the film. Then theirs Daniel Diemer who is more of the comedic character In the film but to an extent. As we see him we think right of the bat he’s going to be the comic relief which he is for a bit but then does start over time to really evolve and show many other sides of himself emotionally that impressed me. He can be charming and witty but then incredibly heartfelt the next in such a genuine way. His performance shouldn’t be overlooked as he is more subtle with what he brings to his character emotionally but just because it’s not as emotionally loud doesn’t mean it does not have impact as he gives a very fun but emotional performance all at once. Everyone else in the cast  also give great supporting performances but it’s the two leads of the film that really steal the show with their charming and emotionally charged performances. 

Secondly, The film is very honest in its telling of coming of age and love. The writing on this film is some of the best I’ve seen for a film like this in a while. The way the words for the character were written was incredible. Their was an emotional honesty to the way the words were written and the way they were delivered by the actors. Their was an authenticity to the writing that rang true as it had some of the most Heartbreaking but also some of the funniest  dialogue I’ve heard and the way it was written for each character fit them so perfectly. Alice Wu creates this tone I can’t put my finger on as one minute it’s a love story the next it snowballs into a coming of age film and I love the many shapes this film goes through as it’s never a one sided coming of age film but has so many other layers to it which makes it so complex. The film delves into some very emotional places that  are heart shattering but then it also can bring a great sense of comedic relief at times and then warm your heart with this pure love story as well. The way the film was done in terms of writing and tone was incredibly well done by Alice Wu. 

Lastly, The Half Of It is an outstanding coming of age film that has so many layers to it.That keeps evolving as the film goes and finally ends up as a coming of age love story that doesn’t try to be a love story but slowly beers into that direction. Brought greatly to the screen by Alice Wu with incredible writing and gets great performances from her two leads actors giving terrific work. It delves into Heartbreak, loss, love, friendship and all the things between its one of the most honest and authentic coming of age films I’ve seen in a very long time. Definitely one of the best I’ve seen this year and a film that shouldn’t be overlooked everyone should check this film out. 

This film is about a girl who writes a letter for a guy who’s got nervous to do it himself for a girl but overtime as she writes letters for hers she starts to develop feelings for the girl 

Rated PG : some language and sexual content 

Leah Lewis : Leah Lewis gives a fearless performance of great emotional strength! Leah gives one of the best performances I’ve seen this year as she brings a emotional vulnerability to herself while being so subtle about it. This up and coming Actress plays the main character as a socially awkward and reserved person she is able to emote and express so much by saying so little as you can read so much just from her eyes. The way she would deliver her dialogue she would bring it to such life as you can feel the impact of her words as she brings such a passion to it. She also has some great moments of witty humour that works so well as she chooses her moments perfectly when to lay a sarcastic moment and line and it gells greatly into the scene. But most of the time her performance is dramatic driven and she is more then able to be up to the task of delivering some truly heartbreaking moments and this is a performance that shouldn’t be overlooked just because she’s young. As it’s a emotionally honest and at times and charismatic performance that will break your heart and also warm it. As she has the heartache in her eye but the hope in her heart and she springs the words to great life with such impact a emotionally charged performance that you cannot look away from. 

Alice Wu : Wu brings an authentic and honest take on the coming of age genre! What I love about what she brings to this style of filmmaking is that it’s not the usual tropes we are used to seeing. As she avoids all the trappings of those tropes and goes in a direction that is refreshing as she brings this film into territory of a classic romance story but out of the gate does not go in that direction. It’s first and at the centre a drama but slowly Over the course of the film delves into that genre without forcing it which made it seem more natural and enjoyable.  As well the film felt very realistic in the sense it didn’t feel like actors but real people snd just documenting their lives and that raw feel that was brought to the frame was so engaging to watch. She directed this film greatly and wrote it magnificently as she also brought such solid performances from her actors and also mixing styles of romance comedy and drama to even out this great balance. Overall Alice Wu brought together one of the best coming of age films I’ve seen in a while that’s written and directed greatly.