Description: Lara Jean Covey writes letters to all of her past loves, the letters are meant for her eyes only. Until one day when all the love letters are sent out to her previous loves. Her life is soon thrown into chaos when her foregoing loves confront her one by one.
Director: Susan Johnson
Writers: Sofia Alvarez (screenplay) based on the novel by Jenny Han
Staring: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parish
Movie info from IMdb
Anyone who has spent more than 5 minutes on the internet these past few weeks knows what a huge hit To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is for Netflix. I’m not going to bother with an actual review here. There’s enough of those everywhere else. (Especially on Buzzfeed, where I spend entirely too much of my free time. There is even a Buzzfeed guide to all the posts.) Instead, I want to focus on how different my feelings are for the movie than the book.
My feelings on the book were mostly meh. I didn’t get it. At all. I didn’t understand what Peter and Lara Jean saw in each other. The plot of the fake romance threw me off. I never felt the connection between the two characters. And to be honest, I was rooting for Lara Jean and Josh more than I ever rooted for Lara Jean and Peter. I wasn’t interested in reading the other books in the series.
My feelings about the movie are completely the opposite. I adored it! Great casting. Great acting. Much improved and believable romance. Let’s break it down:
The casting and acting is spot-on. I think we can all agree that Lana Condor and Noah Centineo really shine as Lara Jean and Peter. I also love Anna Cathcart at Kitty and John Corbett as Dr. Covey.
The story is much improved, including the romance between the main characters. I think this adaptation is great. I love the interactions with the families, especially the three Covey sisters. They really meshed for me.
I really enjoyed Lara Jean in this movie. She’s her own individual, wearing what she wants (platform military boots!), reading romance novels, and completely embarrassed when her letters are mailed without her knowledge. She’s the kind of teenage girl that other girls can look up to.
Then there is Peter Kavinsky. He totally digs Lara Jean’s style. Doesn’t mind driving her and Kitty around. Makes all of us swoon when he refers to Lara Jean as Covey. Write Lara Jean notes. He’s totes adorable. All around.
But mostly, I really felt the love story between Lara Jean and Peter developed naturally. Even with the contract and fake relationship, we can really see the real feelings develop. Unlike the book, I’m definitely rooting for Lara Jean and Peter.
And yes, I’m now on the Peter Kavinsky train. I’m sorry it took me so long to get aboard! This pretty much sums it up for me.
If you haven’t watched To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, get on it! It’s totally adorable. And oh so much better than the book!
I just finished the book. I read it after watching the movie, and I completely agree! Probably the first time I can confidently say I liked the movie better. I’ll probably still read the 2nd and 3rd book just because idk if I can wait on Netflix to find out what happened!
be sure to report back on books 2 & 3, Lenny. I am holding out for the sequels!
Thanks for the comparison! I’m totally gonna watch the movie and skip the book. 🙂
good call, Brandee!