The Half of It (2020)

What can you even write about a movie in which references to Ek Villain (2014) are the highlight? It's pretty self-explanatory, isn't it? 

Okay, I don't want to make it sound like there was nothing good about this movie except Ek Villain. It was a wholesome and endearing little tale about growing up, falling in love, and becoming more sure of who you are; and it didn't pretend to be something other than that either. I think I would have appreciated it a whole lot more had I seen it in high school or college, because I was really into this kind of stuff back then. 

My biggest problem with the movie was that the conflicts weren't intense enough, they didn't make me feel enough of anything. It's not the same as being half-hearted though, because you can see that the movie was made with a lot of sincerity. I don't know, maybe it's a personal preference, but I just didn't feel as invested in the stories as the knowledge of the basic premise led me to believe I would. Kind of disappointing. I also jumped into this movie with a lot of expectations because Alice Wu's last movie Saving Face is one of my favourite movies ever, and I guess I was hoping for more of the same. But The Half of It lives up to its name in being only half as gay as the other movie. And I want to clarify, that's not what I came for. Doesn't necessarily make it a bad movie, but not a great one either, in my opinion. Still, I am fond of it, mostly because of the characters and the overall feel-good effect it has. And of course, Alice Wu being a queen. Just want her to make more films, and want more people to support her in that. We should not be deprived of her art for another 16 years!!

In conclusion, I just want to acknowledge that Paul was so right, everyone needs to recreate Indian cinema train scenes. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shyam Singha Roy (2021)

There is honestly nothing more annoying than a movie that has flashes of being a good movie, but turns out to be a bad one anyway. Not only have you watched a bad film, but you have also been cheated of all hope and it's exhausting, to say the least.  Also, when this movie is a first day first show, you can't help but feel betrayed. Full "I trusted you!" moment only.  The first half was so tedious to sit through, I genuinely thought of leaving after the interval at one point. I didn't though, because Sai Pallavi only made her entry in the second half, and let's face it, she was the real reason for me to go watch it anyway. I mean, Nani was a huge pull factor too, but after Tuck Jagadish (2021) and V (2020), I was a little wary of trusting this man completely. As I should, because look what he made me sit through... again! (I swear to god, if the Nazriya film isn't good, I just might never watch a Nani movie ever again). Back to Pallu though- she is the onl
Read more

Aasai (1995)

My only regret is that I wish I knew absolutely nothing about this movie before watching it. I know I'm 26 years too late to the party, but honestly, not knowing the basic premise would have made things even more scary and messed up, not that there wasn't enough of those sentiments already. But to watch it unfold like the psychotic drama it was on the big screen, while innocently expecting another cute sweet love story featuring foetus Thala... I would give anything to have that experience. I know we love poking fun at Prakash Raj for being the evergreen villain, but it takes an Aasai for one to truly understand why he's earned that reputation. He really brings to life the evil but powerful psychopath who can manipulate people and situations to get what he wants, and I swear I was shaking a little when the movie ended because he is just that good at driving the point home. That's the thing about well-written thrillers- they work excellently as horror movies because you
Read more

Pokiri (2006)

Sairam, thank god I had forgotten the "twist", despite having seen Bhai's Wanted (2009) when it came out. Not only was I majorly zoned out (so much that I don't even remember for sure if I slept for sometime in the middle) but I have also actively tried to erase all memories of it. Which is why I was shocked enough to legit scream when the big twist came along.  From what I have heard about Pokiri , it sounds like some kind of cultural reset. And going by that, I must say that it totally lived up to that hype. Prince Mahesh seems to be at the peak of his career, and it's a performance that is memorable in more ways than one- he really shines through as the cool, stylish hero who outsmarts villains and beats them up. Of course, he needs a solid story and some killer dialogues as well, both of which are amply present here. I loved how understated his commitment dialogue was, especially in comparison to Bhai's exaggeration, the memory of which still gives me war
Read more