Lara Jean’s world turns upside down when “the letters are out” -meaning they somehow got mailed to those five intimate crushes that she’s had. Now, Model UN and summer camp crushes didn’t get their letters but what could she possibly do when her older sister’s ex (Josh) and her former friend, now popular girl in school’s boyfriend (Peter) get their letters?
In order to avoid confronting Josh and hurting her sister, Lara Jean strikes up a bargain (with a contract and everything of course) with Peter to be fake boyfriend-girlfriend. Peter on the other hand wants to make Gen (his bitchy on/off girlfriend) jealous.
So what could possibly go wrong-right?
Netflix seems to be hitting it with Rom-Coms this year (with the surprise success “Set It Up”) and its refreshing to have one set in High School and still have it very PG. Its cool, you can watch it with your parents. I really miss those rom-coms back in the 90s that were set in High School (“10 Thing I Hate About You”, “She’s All That”, “Clueless”, “Never Been Kissed”) albeit it didn’t follow the whole characters from stereotype groups formula. Another thing I loved about “To All The Boys” -it also focused on family; the relationship of Lara Jean with her sisters is something to be jealous of. I myself am a part of a tres Marias, I depend on them a lot and I would like to think that they depend on me too. There was a subtle nod to Lara Jean’s Korean roots (Hello Korean Yogurt, we all know as Yakult) it wasn’t overplayed and I loved her Dad (John Corbett) who was super cool, even if he’s a gynecologist its weird Dad.
There is much talk about Lara Jean’s mom who passed away, how they tiptoe around their dad when it comes to him trying to recreate her cooking and how they all miss her and how they each go through a different sort of grieving and healing and I appreciated that. Since I also lost my Dad at a young age, I could really relate to the characters on screen.
The film also alludes to its Rom-Com roots like “Sixteen Candles” (and “Fight Club”) which is a super plus, plus for me. 🙂
Praise must be given to director Susan Johnson’s visuals which translate perfectly in the movie, from Lara Jean’s teal colored room, to the beautiful pink cherry tree in one scene and her very modest outfits (those boots are killer).
Props on the representation of the cast, from the lead herself, an Asian starring in a romantic comedy and she’s not even your usual stereotyped Asian, she’s not skin thin, she’s actually a bit on the plump side and looks damn good. There was no mention of her being a straight A-student, because not all Asians are bookish and studious you know?
There is also a gay character, who I will not be naming as it will spoil a plot in the movie. All I can say is he wasn’t your typical gay character and it was nice that he turned out to be a surprise confidant of Lara and also, who can say no to Korean face masks?
Lana Condor plays the part of the quiet female lead on point, she is that beautiful wallflower, much like Leigh Nash in “She’s All That” minus the make over, because ‘our girl doesn’t need it’ with a mix of Drew Barrymore’s literature obsessed geekness in “She’s Never Been Kissed”.
Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo) is that dreamy hunk that could give you butterflies in your stomach (very Freddy Prinze Jr.) I was so ‘kilig’ (giddy) with the chemistry of the two that I wanted to wake my sleeping son and give him a tight, tight squeeze.
9/10 -minus a barreling third act, “To All The Boys” made me laugh, it made me cry. It made me feel giddy all over. All checks for a highly recommended High School Rom-Com.
I haven’t read the book so I couldn’t compare the two or give more insight, now that I’ve seen and loved the movie, I will definitely be reading the book. Oh, I might have failed to mention that its based on the YA novel of the same name by Jenny Han.
If you have a copy and you’re willing to sell yours, I’m willing to buy. Or if you trust me that I will return it (I will)-you can lend it me. Send me a message.
“To All the Boy’s I’ve Loved Before” is now streaming on Netflix.