Netflix has given us the absolute best gift ever: rom coms. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (TatBILB) and The Kissing Booth (tKB) are our generation’s Titanic and The Notebook. Although everyone loves how adorable Lara Jean is and how feisty Elle is, let’s be real, people. We watch these movies to lose our freaking minds over the boys featured. Peter Kavinsky, played by Noah Centineo in TatBILB, is the definition of good boy beautifulness. On the other hand, Noah Flynn, played by Jacob Elordi in tKB, is every girl’s bad boy fantasy. I’ve watched these movies a few times, and, like everyone else, I can’t help but compare different aspects of these boys. So let’s get down and dirty.
Hotness Contest
Okay everyone, let’s face it. We’ve all daydreamed about being picked up in Peter’s Jeep and being driven to school where he slips his hand in our back jean pocket. SWOON! Also, I could talk about his curls all day.
However, Noah is the definition of swoon-worthy. Noah’s abs paired with that jawline and that hair… sorry, I had to wipe away a bit of drool there. So, obviously, Noah Flynn wins the hotness contest.
Bravery Contest
Throughout tKB, Noah shows his bravery by fighting… not really desired by people. I’ll admit, by the end of the movie, he “mans up” and confesses loving Elle in front of everyone. But I’m sure that since he was missing for a while when Elle and Lee weren’t talking to each other, people had an idea that something went down between Elle and Noah.
In TatBILB, Peter has a same kind of transformation. At the beginning, he doesn’t want to or can’t stand up to his ex Gen when she’s mocking him about Lara Jean. However, by the end of the movie, he stands up for Lara Jean in front of everyone who was laughing at her for having a “sex tape”(which was just a video of them making out in the hot tub, probably posted by Gen). Peter yells, quite loudly, “Hey, everyone, listen up. Not that it’s anyone’s business, but nothing happened in the hot tub. If I hear anyone talking about Lara Jean or that video, I’m gonna kick all of your asses.” Oooh Peter’s getting feisty. I’m awarding the bravery contest to Peter.
Ray of sunshine vs. T.O.X.I.C.
Now, this is where I am about to get serious. Although tKB is overall cute and funny, it teaches young girls and boys a terrible lesson. This movie says that being controlling, a player, and overall toxic is desired and that young girls should want a man like that. Let me explain myself. The first instance where we see Noah Flynn being toxic is where Elle and Noah are talking to each other on the phone after Elle gets stood up because Noah is stopping boys from dating her. He literally ADMITS to controlling her because it’s for her own good (Red flag!). The next instance is when we see Elle making a pro-con list about dating Noah. Okay Elle, sweetie… if all that’s on your pro-list is that he’s “HOT, a good kisser, and smells yummy,” it could be a good reason to date him if the con-side was not a factor. On the con side she has, “LEE FORBIDS IT, he’s controlling, all we do is fight, and HE’S A PLAYER!!!!!!” She even recognizes that Noah is a controlling player, yet she goes behind her best friend’s back and dates him. Last, but certainly not least about Noah, the beach/car scene. Girls and boys, when a boy that you are dating yells at you so loudly that it frightens you to point where you jump in the air and start crying… run the f*ck in the other direction. Also during this scene, Noah slams his fist onto the hood of the car showing that he does not hold back when he is angry, possibly foreshadowing an abusive relationship. Do NOT be like Elle and give in when he says “please.” Noah is the definition of TOXIC, and I believe that we need to teach young adults how to identify these signs so they do not get drawn into a bad relationship.
Okay, back to our ray of sunshine, A.K.A. Peter Kavinsky. Peter is the definition of “too good for this world.” When the five letters are sent out, he tries to talk to Lara Jean and smooth over what she said in the letter. He wants to figure out what he feels about Gen in the moment before he starts his next relationship. Peter also gets very concerned about Lara Jean at the dinner party at his house. His mom brings up her mother, forgetting that Lara Jean’s mom passed away. Just by looking at Peter’s eyes, the viewer can tell that he is worried about her reaction. Afterwards when talking about it, Peter also gets vulnerable about his feelings. He’s not afraid to show and have emotions. Lastly about Peter, he refuses to let anyone falsely believe that he and Lara Jean had sex. He does not let rumors float around about him and his girlfriend (fake at the time, but shhhhh). Peter is the definition of good masculinity. Peter wins this contest in a landslide.
And just because I can’t resist it, here is the most swoon-worthy line from each movie. Enjoy!
“Because I’m in love with you, Lara Jean. Only you.”
Time to snap out of our daydreaming everyone! Back to reality we go.