HollywoodChicago.com is On the Air with ‘The Half of Us’ & ‘How to Build a Girl’

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HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com appears on “The Morning Mess” with Scott Thompson on WBGR-FM (Monroe, Wisconsin) on May 5th, 2020, discussing new releases “The Half of It” and “How to Build a Girl.”

The Half of Us, the recent Best U.S. Narrative at the online 2020 Tribeca Film Festival is the second feature film by Alice Wu, and creates a tasty palette combining teenage coming-of-age films, love triangles and fluid genderism without preaching or being trite. Leah Lewis as Ellie knocks it out of the park as the middleman in the triangle, flanked by Daniel Diemer as Paul (in a nice, mostly comic role) and Alexxis Lemire as Aster, the smart and beautiful object of many desires. The film is currently streaming on Netflix. 4/5 stars.

Half1
The Half of It
Photo credit: Netflix

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 3.5/5.0
Rating: 3.5/5.0

How to Build a Girl is released through IFC Films, and available on May 8th for rental on various streaming platforms (see below). Beanie Feldstein is Johanna, AKA Dolly Wilde, a perplexed and awkward British 16-year-old who breaks out of her shell by becoming a rock critic for a London tabloid in the 1990s. Unlikely as it seems, the American Feldstein executes a “Bridget Jones Diary” and pulls off the British character, in a bright and oddly funny performance. 3.5/5 stars

Half1
How to Build a Girl
Photo credit: IFC Films

The two reviews are as follows, on WBGR-FM


“The Half of It” is currently streaming on Netflix. Featuring Leah Lewis, Daniel Diemer and Alexxis Lemire. Written and directed by Alice Wu. Rated “PG-13” “How to Build a Girl” is available for download May 8th on Amazon, Apple TV, YouTube, Vudu, Xfinity, Xbox and more. Featuring Beanie Feldstein, Alfie Allen, Paddy Considine, Chris O’Dowd and Emma Thompson. Screenplay adapted by Caitlin Moran (from her novel). Directed by Coky Giedroyc. Rated “R”

HollywoodChicago.com senior staff writer Patrick McDonald

By PATRICK McDONALD
Editor and Film Writer
HollywoodChicago.com
pat@hollywoodchicago.com

© 2020 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com

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