TO ALL THE Boys I’ve Loved Before launched on streaming service Netflix earlier this week.
Source: NetflixThe movie, based on the novel of the same name by author Jenny Han, follows Lara Jean Covey (played by Lana Condor) - a half-Korean, half-Caucasian high-schooler that loves reading sappy romance novels. Who doesn't, really?
She lives in the suburbs with her widower father Dan (John Corbertt) and two sisters Margot (Janel Parrish) and Kitty (Anna Cathcart).
One small thing - Lara Jean is secretly in love with her sister’s boyfriend Josh (Israel Broussard). Awks. Even when Margot leaves to go to college and breaks up with Josh, Lara Jean knows he’s still a no-go zone.
Source: NetflixOk, get to the good bit.
Over the years, Lara Jean has written five letters to five boys she’s had crushes on. She keeps them in a blue box in her wardrobe, as a token of her emotional fantasies.
One day at school, Peter (Noah Centineo), a boy she kissed during a game of spin-the-bottle when she was 12, runs up to her, brandishing the letter she wrote to him. Somehow, the letters have been sent. Dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnnnn!
As embarrassed as Lara Jean is about Peter’s letter, things get worse (as they tend to do in teen movies.) When Lara sees Josh coming towards he, she pins Peter down and kisses him in an effort to ward off Josh, so she won’t have to confront her own feelings for her sister’s ex.
From there, Lara Jean and Peter hatch a plan. They’ll pretend to date each other in front of everyone for their own reasons — she to put off having an awkward chat with Josh and Peter to make his ex-girlfriend Gen jealous. Genius, right?
Source: NetflixWhy's it good then?
For starters, Lana Condor embodies the role of Lara Jean perfectly - sensitive, introverted but hugely imaginative. The art direction is stunning, awash with pinks and teals (though this may only appeal to a select few.)
And yet, it's not painfully glossy to the point where you're more tempted to roll your eyes by it. (Ok, you MIGHT at an ever-so-slightly rushed subplot, but the movie is so endearing, it can be forgiven.)
You can watch the trailer below or by clicking here.
