If you haven’t already heard, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before dropped on Netflix this past weekend (but you already know that). The movie is a teenage Rom Com about a girl whose love letters get sent out to all of her crushes and the chaos that results from it. It’s based off of a novel of the same name by the wonderful, Jenny Han. This movie had been in the works for a while and had hype around it for even longer. Fans of the book series counted down the days until they found out if the movie would live up to their high hopes. According to the fan reaction on Twitter, it exceeded every expectation and then some. If you haven’t already watched it, stop reading this article and go do that now. Otherwise, here are all the reasons we love the movie adaptation of To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before.
1) Lana Condor aka Lara Jean Song Covey
Lara Jean is one of the most endearing characters ever created. She’s sweet, funny, innocent and brave. She’s everything a teenage heroine should be, and Lana Condor is the perfect person to portray LJ. She rocks the quirky, girly wardrobe and nails all the mannerisms that teenage girls do i.e. constantly messing with her long hair, stuttering while she talks to cute boys, and being intimidated by the mean girl. She’s the perfect Lara Jean!
2) Noah Centineo aka Peter Kavinsky
Peter Kavinsky is the most popular, charming, handsome jock in school. The most handsome of all boys. He’s the epitome of what a Rom Com leading-man should be, and Noah Centineo is the man for the part. He’s got the smize down, the longing looks down, and looking great in lacrosse gear down. We’d write him a love letter too!
3) Three Asian actresses in leading roles
In an op-ed in the New York Times, Jenny Han wrote about how she’d been getting offers to turn her book into a movie before it even was released in 2014, but she turned them all down until she finally found a production company who promised to cast Asian actresses in the roles of the Song Girls. As an Asian American author, Jenny knew how much seeing a young Asian girl in a leading role would have meant to her as a teenager, and she fought so that other girls could see someone who looks like themselves in a Rom Com. Go Jenny!
4) It Has a Female Director
This movie was directed by Susan Johnson. We love to see lady bosses making waves in the film industry!
5) Supporting Young Adult Authors
In the trilogy after To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, there is P.S. I Still Love You and Always and Forever, Lara Jean. Jenny Han is the mastermind behind the series, a lovely writer and from the looks of her Instagram, a good baker. As every good Young Adult fan knows, we’ve got to support movie adaptations so the film industry knows there is an audience (and in the hopes we get a sequel).
6) Believable and Relatable Characters
No matter who you are, there is a character in this movie that reminds you of yourself. Whether it’s dorky Dr. Covey or ambitious Margot, you’ll definitely find someone who you can relate to!
7) Beautiful Sets + Cinematography
The color scheme and visuals in this movie are so beautiful that it almost brings tears to your eyes. Even if you’re not a film buff, you’ll feel warm and comforted by the fun blues and pinks of Lara Jean’s room and the fun visuals in the whole movie.
8) It’s the Teenage Rom Com We Deserved
This movie will make you feel like you’re in high school again in the best way possible. The actors are awkward and endearing. Maybe you haven’t had love letters sent out to all your crushes, but you can relate to the feeling of loving someone from afar.
9) Love Letter Writing is a Dying Art
Who doesn’t love the idea of penning a letter to your love? Wouldn’t it be nice if all it took was some pink stationary and a felt-tipped pen and you could guarantee falling in love? Maybe that’s not real life, but we do love love letters.
10) Sweet Sister Dynamics
This movie did such a great job at portraying sisterhood. The Song Girls stick together through thick and thin and don’t let anything come in between them. They were so sweet!
We’re going to keep watching this movie until we get a sequel.