Show a little loving: a "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" review
Romantic comedies are always the rage. At least, that's the impression I get whenever I see how many classic rom-coms are out there and how many people seem to be attached to them. I'm not sure if I've ever watched one of them with the hopes of escaping life and rooting for another relationship, but maybe that's because romance has always casually been a part of everything I've watched. Romantic comedies seem to be run through the veins of most films nowadays.
However, To All the Boys I've Loved Before was watched out of curiosity and the need to alleviate my stress before college hit full-swing. Based on a novel by Jenny Han (which I've heard quite mixed things on), I was charmed by the teaser trailer Netflix released and was already living for the aesthetic of the film. The plot sounded great, it seemed charming, and it was partnered on release day with Ariana Grande's Sweetener. What more could a boy ask for?
One Tuesday movie night later, and I was absolutely impressed with this adorable movie. Wonderfully directed, well-acted, and filled with charming one-liners, To All the Boys I've Loved Before seems to have alleviated some of the more frustrating aspects of its source material and created a charming and fun romantic comedy perfect for a pick-up on a sad day or a movie night with your best friends. It may follow a fake couple formula done by other rom-coms, but its focus on an Asian-American protagonist, nostalgic feel, and a charmingly sensitive romantic angle make this a flick worth seeing. Grab the popcorn and the pink lemonade and be prepared to smile.
Lara Jean Covey leads a quiet life. She has one close friend, adores her sisters dearly, and doesn't have time for real-life romance. Instead, her heart is saved for the sweeping historical romances of her book collection and the letters she's written for the five crushes she's had on guys in the past. When her feelings got so close to vacating her chest, she unleashed them onto paper and has kept them in a box in her closet since practically the beginning of time. But after her older sister Margot breaks up with her boyfriend (one of Lara Jean's old crushes, the boy next door) and moves to Scotland for college, the letters get out. One of the recipients, popular heart-breaker Peter Kavinsky, brings his letter to Lara Jean's attention, and after some shenanigans ensue, proposes a deal to our protagonist: become a fake couple to make his ex-girlfriend and Lara Jean's nemesis, Gen, livid. Having never done anything romantic before, Lara Jean is up for the task, but what happens when fake feelings become real? Do the other guys who received letters from Lara Jean like her? And how far are Lara Jean and Peter willing to go to prove they're the best fake couple that no one ever was?
It may sound cliche, but To All the Boys I've Loved Before is refreshing for a lot of reasons. For starters, the original novel is written by an Asian-American and stars an Asian-American protagonist. This diversity is welcome for this movie field, and it's nice to have some own voices represented. Additionally, this movie is so much fun to watch. It doesn't try to be something it's not; it doesn't play up its dramatic elements or be over-the-top hilarious to force a laugh out of the audience. Instead, it's natural and cheesy in all the right places, and that's what makes it so authentic. It feels like exactly what it is: a cute and adorable romantic comedy with excellent timing when it comes to jokes and a relationship that you root for. That's what I'm talking about.
Additionally, there is some great acting. Lana Candor's performance as Lara Jean is adorably awkward and charming, and she carries herself with the perfect blend of nervousness and curiosity. Lara Jean's sisters, Margot and Kitty, played by Pretty Little Liars' Janel Parrish and Descendants' Anna Cathcart, were also wonderful, even though Margot appears for very little of the film. They had such a sisterly camaraderie that was so heartwarming because it felt so real, and Cathcart's one-liner delivery was just a highlight throughout the entire movie ("mm, just like Mom's"). But the highlight was definitely Noah Centineo as the resident heartthrob Peter Kavinsky. I feel like his fanbase has been strong since he joined The Fosters, but now it's probably gone through the roof because wow. Not only is he handsome, but his charisma while he plays this character is just phenomenal. I wanted him to end up with Lara Jean so bad. The other actors also fit their characters, and I hope I continue to see them in future movies.
The direction and styling was spot-on as well. Susan Johnson's shots, coupled with cinematography by Michael Fimognari, were warm and colorful. The palette and the soft fuzz of the film reminded me a lot of Lady Bird, so that retro charm was definitely appreciate for something as adorable as this movie. Also, the costumes were the perfect blend of inspirational, trendy, and cute, matching the presentation of the film really well. Lara Jean was always so impeccably dressed, and that means I have to go to H&M and some of the other places to get some more clothes because I want to have that same vibe. There are some errors, like minor details shifting between shots and Candor's spike tape being shown in the credits, but other than that, the film is very pretty and fluid and looks wonderful.
Even despite some shooting errors and initially clunky dialogue (some of the interactions, written by Sofia Alvarez, don't start off feeling the most natural, but they get better as the film goes on), To All the Boys I've Loved Before is a perfect romantic comedy. Beautifully shot with great acting and a fun plot, this should go on the top of your to-watch list if it hasn't already. It'll definitely make a fun re-watch and create the biggest of smiles, even for the cynical. Let Lara Jean's love story inspire your own. But perhaps maybe when it comes to love letters you hold onto for years, get them out now. It's time to take chances.
