‘To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before’ Movie Review: The Cliche of Ideals That Somehow Works

It’s one thing for a film adaptation to give justice to its parent novel. However, it’s another thing for it to reap similar success. Susan Johnson’s film adaptation of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before successfully brings back the theme of simple romantic idealism that’s sure to tickle anyone’s inner romantic even by the tiniest bit. And it has branded the film to be one of Netflix’s best romcoms yet. However, it’s only the brilliant casting, quotable lines, and some artistic pizzaz that’s keeping this film from being one of those romcoms that just eventually tried.

Based on Jenny Han’s novel of the same title, To All The Boys I’ve Love Before centers on Lara Jean Covey (Lana Condor), the girl who wrote the love letters. One day, Lara’s little sister Kitty decides that those letters need to be received. And once they are in the hands of their receivers, Lara’s love life suddenly springs to reality. Lara avoids confronting her best friend slash her sister’s ex Josh Sanderson (Israel Broussard) about her love letter to him. So, she gets into a fake dating situation with another of her letter receivers, Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo). And it turns into something she could’ve only fantasized about.

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Highlighting Good Acting And Good Casting

Getting straight to the point, as soon as fake dating is mentioned, everybody knows Lara Jean ends up with Peter. After all, Lara Jean and Peter’s characters are the classic ideals for teen romance tales. We’ve all seen them over and over from Hollywood movies to fanfiction. The jock who’s sweet and sensitive on the inside albeit being a tough cookie on the outside falls for the sweet, witty, and dense but supposedly smart girl.

It all makes for the ideal romantic and cute moments. And as far as anyone is concerned, Lana Condor and Noah Centineo have played out their parts so genuinely that their chemistry can make one stay and watch the cliche play out. The sugary sweet gazes and the notes give us all the giddiness we’ll need for years.

The Covey family, in turn, with Margot (Janel Parrish), Kitty (Anna Cathcart), and their father Dr. Dan Covey (John Corbett) provides a huge dose of amusing family quips and quirks that helps balance the romance and comedy. Not only do they act as support for the protagonist but the entire plotline as well. They serve as the intermission on the plain genetic plotline focus that the film’s cruising through.  

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The Details That Went The Deep End

But between all the ideal loving family moments and the sweet romantic Lara Jean-Peter moments, there are some off-putting details. After the letters were sent out, Lara Jean’s strained friendship with Josh Sanderson seemed like the fallback of the film’s otherwise weak overall conflict. In the books, Josh was a clear, prominent wedge between Lara Jean and Peter. In this film, he’s not presented as such but, he borders on it quite frequently.

Then, there’s the Sixteen Candles reference. In time with the release of Crazy Rich Asians, To All The Boys I’ve Loved also banked on its accurate casting of a half-Asian protagonist. It’s comforting to see the accurate representation. But, that comfort ends on a sour note when Lara Jean shows affection for the movie Sixteen Candles, a blatant example of a racist and sexist film. And the only explanation presented is because of its main white heartthrob character. It’s a surprising and quite unwelcome irony wherein the film might’ve reached its most obvious shallow point.   

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Even on the issue of bullying, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before was Disney-rated. Once again, the film bulldozed through with an ideal version of minimal bullying and the prince charming saving the damsel in distress. It seemed like an unnecessary part of the film. It was simply added to give it a toned down part of the real and the ugly.

Undeniably, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before tries to hold on to a deeper and more meaningful screenplay more than most. It draws inspiration from its ancestors in the 80s and 90s. But, it definitely keeps it 2018 through the Instagram culture and some pretty relatable quotes. Coupled with that is the sprinkle of artistic cinematography. It maintains aesthetically pleasing color palettes. And with the camera angles, the art perfectly catches the feel and look of the entire film from beginning to end. It’s funny, “adorkable,” and sweet. But to put it simply, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before is a handsome cliche through and through with nothing relevant and with impact to add.

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‘To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before’ Overall Verdict

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before is the epitome of a romcom near perfection. No matter how cliche it is, it succeeds in all other aspects. That’s what possibly make it as one of the best rom-com films of the season. Though it might not have given exact justice to the paperback, it has the essence of a story with comfort, sincerity, and fun that we all miss from time to time. It’s definitely a good movie to consider listing down under your ‘feel good movie’ list. And although, it’s a cliche, it’s not a bad film. It’s not just what everybody’s looking for.