With the number of original shows and movies appearing almost daily on Netflix, it’s easy to miss the arrival of yet another generic comedy or teen romance. But with the hype that’s currently surrounding Netflix’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, it stands to reason that there must be something behind the fervor for this recent adaptation of the Jenny Han novel by the same name. Is it the characters? The plot? The killer supporting soundtrack? The short answer is, it’s all this and so much more.
The Relationships
While many of the relationships in the movie may at first appear cliché (quirky best friend included), the movie does a surprisingly good job of capturing not only some typical teenage associations, but demonstrating the finer points of some specific nuanced interactions as well. Not only does the film avoid the common “tough single dad meets the new boyfriend” trope and instead opts for a more mature and normal meet-and-greet between Lara Jean’s father and Peter, but the film also perfectly encapsulates the way it feels when an older sibling eventually moves off to college.
Suddenly alone in the world, Lara Jean no longer has her older sister to rely on. She must deal with all that comes with being alone without her now; solitary eating in the cafeteria, being in charge of driving to school, and taking care of her younger sister Kitty. The main character, Lara Jean, does this all while avoiding her older sister Margot, who knows Lara Jean best and will be able to sense that something is off (in this case, that Lara Jean might have a crush on Margot’s ex). These surprisingly honest relationships on screen are a breath of fresh air in a world of movies with two-dimensional characters whose dialogue and relationship never quite seem true to life.
The Characters
For many teen rom-coms, it’s often simply enough to have a basic plot played out by a heartthrob male lead, with a beautifully awkward yet terribly charming female counterpart. For To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before though, the male lead (while definitely a heartthrob), is also a smart teen with a true heart of gold. During the course of the film, he comes across the screen as genuine in both his kindness and in how he feels about Lara Jean.
It’s a refreshing portrayal of a character that avoids appearing shallow or fake. The character of Lara Jean, while quirky and somewhat awkward, has a certain sweetness that combines with her obvious smarts to make her a likeable and believable female lead role.
A Take on the Classic Coming of Age Rom-Com
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before starts like any other teenage rom-com. Lara Jean is a typical girl going to a typical high school. She’s had crushes before, but every time one appears in her life, she writes a letter to him and places it in a shoebox, never to be seen again. Never, until her little sister Kitty decides to mail the letters in a desperate move to break Lara Jean out of her boring life.
What follows has the traditional make-up of many teenage movie hits; a fake romance, a jealous other guy, a token mean-girl, and a quirky best friend (or two, if you count Lara Jean’s little sister Kitty). Lara Jean finds herself falling in love with her fake-boyfriend Peter, and trying to deal with not only her big sister (and best friend) leaving, but also the fallout of her mother’s death many years ago.
The movie harkens back not only to the teenage rom-coms of the early 90’s (Remember She’s All That?), but also brings back memories of the earlier and sweeter times of films such as Sixteen Candles (a film that the characters of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before actually discuss at one point). The film is a little 10 Things I Hate About You Meets Pretty in Pink and Say Anything, and does a great job of leaving the viewer with that same heartwarming feeling that a good John Hughes film does.
Like a good cup of chicken soup, this movie will warm the body and soul, and it’s the perfect movie to watch on a girl’s night in or during a lazy Sunday afternoon. The light humor, wide cast of characters and predictable plot may not win it an Oscar, but it does make for a delightful story that’s got high rewatch value.
The Soundtrack
From Lauv’s “I Like Me Better” to “Cool Out” by Matthew E. White, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before has a soundtrack that is sure to make you laugh, sing, cry and certainly dance. A number of iconic songs during the film have what seem to be the perfect background soundtrack accompanying them.
“Beautiful” by Viigo will forever by remembered for the scrunchie scene, and no one will be able to listen to “Boyfriend (Repeat)” by Confidence Man without picturing Peter K’s hand in Lara Jean’s back pocket. An iconic soundtrack can go a long way to making a movie unforgettable, and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before definitely has the market cornered.
While To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before might not be a serious Oscar contender for the year, it certainly does a great job in the genre of teenage romantic comedies. It’s been a hit with teens and adults everywhere, and for good reason. Between the unique characters, charismatic leads, simple plot lines, and a kicking soundtrack, the movie has everything it needs to attract and interest a wide variety of people time and time again.
Is it going to make you think critically about a serious topic or search for a way to better yourself? No, it will not. Will it warm your heart and soul and leave you feeling a little bit better about humanity? Absolutely. And isn’t that what television is really about?
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