In my opinion, there hasn’t been a teen movie that falls among the ranks of the classics for quite a while, but The Half of It might just fit the bill. Not only does the film include relatable romance, but it also emphasises friendship and platonic love, something we honestly need more of in both film and books. 

The film is a heartwarming examination of friendship and young love, as well as the struggles of immigrants, their children, and LGBT youth (especially in the midwest). It vividly illustrates the growth of romantic and platonic love on a number of levels, something we don’t often see in teen films. The film avoids the cliche of the relationships in the movie becoming diluted by an overdone love triangle. Instead, we watch the blooming romance between two people and the growth of a close friendship. Romance takes the back seat to the emphasis on friendship, which is exceptionally refreshing. And with the addition of including the struggles of the film’s protagonist as an immigrant only adds a real depth to the film. The main character is exceptionally relatable for viewers who immigrated to the States at a young age and whose parents are immigrants.

This is one of those films everyone needs to watch, and it’s one of those films you can watch more than once. Be warned, though, you’ll probably be crying by the time the credits roll.