The Half of It š
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Todayās movie is The Half of It (2020), streaming on Netflix, a high school coming-of-age dramedy that was set to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival this year. Thank you to Alison for the recommendation. Iāll send you my therapy bill.
Hereās what itās about: Ellie Chu (Leah Lewis) is a straight-A student who helps her father with the bills by writing papers for other students, which is why sheās approached by sweet, but hopeless jock Paul (Daniel Diemer) for help writing love letters to the schoolās misunderstood it-girl Aster (Alexxis Leimer). While Alice and Paulās friendship develops, so do Aliceās feelings for Aster. [Trailer // 111 mins]
Why you should watch it: On the surface,Ā The Half of ItĀ is a serviceable high school dramedy. However, at its core, itās a sensitive character study of identity and how the town we grew up in shapes it, for better and worse. And though it only skims the surface of sexuality, itās distinctly queer. The gaze is queer. The themes are queer. This is a movie that only a person that has experienced it could accomplish. And although it has all this complexity, it still has the moments of joy and levity we crave in a coming-of-age. However, those moments happen where ā and between characters ā we least expect them. This is a love story. But not between who you think.Ā
Thereās a chanceĀ The Half of ItĀ fades into the background of the multitudes ofĀ NetflixĀ romantic comedies that are shuffled away in the mysterious algorithm. But I hope that the right audience sees it. It feels like a cliche now, but if I had seen this movie when I was a kid, I feel like the world would have been different for me. Iād see it differently. Iād understand myself and how to love differently. Iād understand that confusion is just a part of understanding. And that running after a train may look ridiculous, but thatās love.Ā [Full review]
š· Pair it with:
Lady Bird (dir. Greta Gerwig)
Set it Up (dir. Claire Scanlon)
Moonstruck (dir. John Patrick Shanley)
šŗ Buy or Rent: The Half of It is exclusively streaming on Netflix.
State of the race
The Oscars are changingā¦ for the better?
Before our current crisis, the Oscars were already in a state of upheaval. In particular, the demographics of the voters, nomination processes, and film eligibility were put under a microscope. And though the Academy is notoriously slow to make changes, their hand has been forced.
In an unprecedented move, the Academy will allow VOD and streaming releases to be eligible. Previously, a movie had to have a one-week qualifying theatrical run in LA, a requirement that has always been under scrutiny.
After Parasiteās historic Best Picture win this year ā yes, this year ā the full voting body will be eligible to vote in the nominating round for Best International Feature, doing away with the volunteer system.
Lastly, the Oscars will shrink down to 23 categories as they combine the Best Sound Mixing and Best Sound Editing categories to Best Sound, reverting back to the format pre-1963. Personally, I donāt love the decision. A movie like Moonlight has stellar sound mixing but doesnāt need nearly as much editing.
The bottom line: This could all be for naught, as the Oscars are already on shaky ground. There could be a world where the 2021 Oscars ceremony doesnāt happen.
Take care of each other and stay safe.
See you Monday ā
Karl (@karl_delo)