Imagine writing five love letters to every person you’ve ever had a crush on, and those five crushes finding out about your intense (borderline embarrassing) feelings—at the same time.
Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor) is a hopeless romantic with no idea how to navigate the dating scene without a stack of romance novels. She keeps her five letters to the boys she’s ever loved hidden away in a teal hat box given to her by her late mother. The recipients vary from boys at camps, her sister’s ex-boyfriend and next-door neighbor, Josh (Israel Broussard), and her arch nemesis’ ex-boyfriend, Peter (Noah Centineo). Once the letters are released mysteriously, Peter proposes that the two “fake date” in order to make Lara Jean look desirable to Josh and make his ex-girlfriend jealous in order to win her back.
Director Susan Johnson makes it easy for any fans of young adult romantic comedies to find this film ween its way into their favorites. Broussard (commonly known for his role as Carter in “Happy Death Day”) fits the “boy-next-door” persona perfectly, while Centineo (known for his roles in many other Netflix Originals such as “SPF-18” and “Sierra Burgess is a Loser”) molds himself into the stereotypical jock that every teen-centered film seems to have. Diversity among the young actors has been made very clear while closely following the storyline of a half Korean-half Caucasian 16-year-old.
This film could have easily turned out to be a cheesy book-to-screen adaption, such as movies like “The Kissing Booth,” a book-to-screen adaptation that had many scenes that could leave book worms and movie junkies cringing. However, this film left heads turning and turned out to be the feel-good movie of 2018 with its subtle charm and innocence. With the most down-to-Earth characters and relatable plot lines, anyone of any age could relate to at least one thing that is brought to them through their Netflix accounts. Whether it was embarrassing crushes, an absent parent, or guarding their heart, this film has easily allowed the audience to find themselves in at least one scene.
“To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before” is everything a good movie should be: comforting and fun, also while bringing in the aspect of teen-romance that has made movies such as“Sixteen Candles” successful. Viewers of all ages can enjoy an easy, carefree watching experience that will keep them re-watching this film for years to come.
“To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before”
Where: Netflix
Rating: TV-14
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