The Half of It - Alice Wu if you’re listening please make a second film

In today’s podcast, we talk about the film ‘The Half of It’ directed by Alice Wu. The film centres around Ellie Chu, a shy intellectual teenager who keeps on top of the bills at home by writing essays for her fellow students. Albeit being against Paul Munsky’s request at first, due to desperate measures Ellie decides to start writing letters to the girl he fancies, Aster Flores, and making it out like they’re from him. It soon becomes obvious that there’s more to it for Ellie than she originally thought... as she also secretly fancies Aster. Whilst Aster is under the impression that Paul is the author behind the messages, Ellie does everything in her power to ensure that her secret doesn’t get out. However, the jig can’t go on forever and eventually Ellie’s secret crush is rumbled by Paul. We discuss different elements of this film including the themes of teenage romance, the awkwardness felt as a queer teenager when getting changed for PE, how our first crush doesn’t mean they’re intended to be a first love and so much more!