October 3, 2018
By Brendan Cantwell
To answer the question posed in the title, it is likely the latter. Netflix original To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before takes the viewer on an emotional rollercoaster lasting an hour and a half. The plot centers around Korean-American high school junior Lara Jean Covey, who, since fifth grade, has written letters to the boys she has had crushes on in order to record her feelings. Her world is turned upside down when her younger sister finds the letters and mails them.
Shockingly, her sister’s helpful intentions prove themselves effective when Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky, Lara Jean’s seventh grade crush and a recipient of one of the letters, make an agreement to make his ex-girlfriend jealous by having Lara Jean pretend to be his new lover. However, as their fake relationship progresses, they both develop very real feelings for each other and overcome a variety of obstacles to end up together at the conclusion of the film.
Even for those who are not usually fans of the rom-com genre, this movie is a relatable and humorous commentary on the nuances and complexities of high school relationships. This description is coming from a guy who’s favorite movies include, Die Hard, Die Hard 2, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Live Free or Die Hard, A Good Day to Die Hard, and Die Hard-inspired Skyscraper. Regardless of what you previously considered to be your cinematic preferences, this movie will have you quoting Peter Kavinsky’s iconic “whoa whoa whoa whoa whoa” by the end.
Even so, the movie has some legitimate flaws: the preposterous nature of Lara Jean and Peter’s relationship and the fact that issues they had before they got together, like how her favorite scrunchy was stolen by Peter’s ex, could have been solved through simple communication. Having recently been a high school junior myself, though, I can say that poor communication in a high school relationship is the most realistic thing about the entire movie.
Furthermore, there are a few continuity errors throughout the movie. For example, the words “Ski Trip” on the contract that outlines rules for their fake relationship is written in a different style each time the document is shown on screen, and the fact that Lara Jean’s nightgown somehow magically dried off on the walk back to the hotel from the hot tub. These minor filming mistakes do not significantly detract from the enjoyable viewing experience.
Whether you’re looking for snarky one-liners, relatable characters and dialogue, or a feel-good happily-ever-after story, this movie has something for everyone. Ultimately, if you want a fun yet moving romantic comedy to watch in the future, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a shot.
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