“Always follow your heart” (How to Date Billy Walsh)
How to Date Billy Walsh focuses on lifelong best friends Archie (Sebastian Croft) and Amelia (Charithra Chandran). They are approaching the end of their school years. Archie frequently breaks the fourth wall, confessing his long-held love for Amelia and his plans to finally express it. However, his intentions are complicated by the arrival of American heartthrob Billy Walsh (Tanner Buchanan), who instantly captivates Amelia.
Character Development and Emotional Connection
The film feels like a game of two halves. The first half misses key opportunities to develop authentic emotional connections and nuanced character likability. Archie is initially portrayed as a quirky outsider, a stereotype somewhat refreshed by his banter and role reversals with typical school bullies. However, his affluent background creates distance from the viewer, making it hard to fully relate.
Meanwhile, Amelia’s whirlwind crush on Billy, falling “in love” within hours without much interaction, feels rushed and stereotypical. Both characters’ feelings are explained too quickly, which diminishes the impact and depth of their experiences.
Humor and Tone
The opening leans heavily on gross-out humor—fart jokes, bodily functions, and disgusting food—that feels repetitive and unnecessary, contributing little to character depth or story advancement. This contrasts sharply with the film’s later attempts at emotional storytelling.
Emotional Growth and Turning Points
The second half picks up pace and emotional resonance. Amelia’s heartfelt confession over the school intercom about her family struggles is a breakthrough moment for her character, with Charithra Chandran delivering a stunning performance. Simultaneously, Archie’s acceptance of setting love free represents a significant coming-of-age theme.
A standout scene features Amelia recalling her late mother’s advice to “always follow your heart,” underscored by poignant music. This moment adds emotional depth missing earlier and effectively sets the tone for the ending’s balance of laughter and heartfelt triumph.
Flaws and Strengths
While many narrative elements could have been better crafted, the acting is solid and improves as the film progresses. It’s also refreshing to see Sebastian Croft, an openly queer actor, convincingly portray a straight character, highlighting important representation in casting.
Overall, How to Date Billy Walsh gains significant ground in its emotional second half, transforming from a clichéd romantic comedy into a heartfelt story about friendship, love, and personal growth.
How to date Billy Walsh is available on Prime Video.
Congratulations, cast and crew!
Hidden Fire stars 5/10 ️
Review written by Nathan Mann
🎥 Follow The Hidden Review!
Stay ahead with the latest news, reviews, interviews, tips from our Blog, exclusive insights, and behind-the-scenes updates on movies, TV shows, and more!
📌 Don’t miss out—hit that subscribe button and tap the bell for notifications. 🔔
🔍 Stay in the know with The Hidden Review:
✨ Discover what’s hidden, only with The Hidden Review.
©2024 The Hidden Review
Leave a Reply