To All the Boys I've Loved Before (film) explained

To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Director:Susan Johnson
Music:Joe Wong
Cinematography:Michael Fimognari
Distributor:Netflix
Runtime:99 minutes
Country:United States
Language:English

To All the Boys I've Loved Before is a 2018 American teen romantic comedy film directed by Susan Johnson and written by Sofia Alvarez. The film stars Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart, Madeleine Arthur, Emilija Baranac, Israel Broussard and John Corbett. The movie is based on Jenny Han's 2014 novel of the same name, and was released by Netflix on August 17, 2018. It received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised the cast.

It is the first installment in the To All the Boys film series and followed by two sequels, , released on February 12, 2020, and on February 12, 2021. A spin-off series titled XO, Kitty was released on May 18, 2023.

Plot

Shy high school junior Lara Jean Covey writes letters to boys she feels an intense passion for, before locking the letters away in her closet. Her most recent is to her childhood friend Josh, who was dating her older sister Margot, until the latter broke up with him before she went off to college. Lara Jean always had a crush on Josh but decides it would not be okay to date him.

One night, Lara Jean falls asleep on the couch while hanging out with her little sister, Kitty, who sneaks into her room and finds her collection of letters. The following Monday at school, Lara Jean is confronted by a former crush, Peter Kavinsky. He received the letter she had written him, causing her to faint. After waking up, she sees Josh approaching with his letter, and in a moment of panic, Lara Jean kisses Peter to throw Josh off before running away.

Lara Jean then encounters another recipient of a letter, Lucas, who is gay, as she begins to realize that all the letters have been mailed out. She later left her house to avoid both Josh and Peter, but the latter appears at her favorite diner. She explains that the kiss was merely to dissuade Josh.

Peter is surprisingly okay with this, and proposes that he and Lara Jean fake date to make his ex-girlfriend (Lara Jean's ex-best friend and nemesis) Gen jealous. She agrees, and the next few months go by with the whole school, along with their respective friends and families, believing they are dating.

When Peter finds that Gen is actually jealous, he is himself conflicted. At the same time, Lara Jean finds herself jealous. On the school ski trip, Lara Jean and Peter confront each other about their true feelings, ending up kissing while alone in a hot tub. At the end of the trip, Gen tells Lara Jean that Peter spent the night in her room after the kiss, taunting Lara Jean with her scrunchie Peter let her take, Lara Jean's favorite.

Furious, Lara Jean breaks up with Peter and storms home, where she finds Margot has returned from college. Peter then arrives, hoping to explain that nothing happened between him and Gen, but Josh arrives as well. Margot overhears everything, and is upset when she learns of Lara Jean's former feelings for Josh. Things are worsened when, after Lara Jean asks Peter to leave, she sees that a seemingly pornographic video of her and Peter in the hot tub has been put up on Instagram.

Lara Jean asks Margot for help, who calms and comforts her. Kitty then reveals she sent the letters. Lara Jean is enraged, Margot calms her down, and makes her realize she may have wanted to send them but was too afraid to, and the sisters forgive each other before getting Instagram to take down the video.

After Christmas break, Lara Jean discovers that everyone at school knows about the video. Peter tells everyone that nothing happened. When Lara Jean confronts Gen about it, she admits she tried to sabotage their relationship as she felt betrayed that Lara Jean kissed Peter during spin the bottle four years ago.

Talking with her dad, Lara Jean reevaluates her relationships, becoming friends with Josh again. When she hesitates to tell Peter about her real feelings, Kitty shows her notes that he wrote during their 'relationship'. Lara Jean goes to see Peter, and he tells her that he is in love with her. They kiss before walking off together.

In a mid-credits scene, John Ambrose McClaren, one of the five recipients of Lara Jean's letters, arrives at her door with flowers in hand.

Cast and characters

Production

Development

In June 2014, author Jenny Han's New York Times Best Selling young adult romance novel To All the Boys I've Loved Before was optioned by Will Smith and James Lassiter's production company Overbrook Entertainment.[1] At that time, writer Annie Neal had been hired to adapt the book for the screen.[1] On July 5, 2017, production began in Vancouver, British Columbia. It was announced later that month that Lana Condor had been cast in the leading role of Lara Jean Song Covey, with Susan Johnson directing from a screenplay by Sofia Alvarez.[2] It was also reported that John Corbett, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart, Noah Centineo, Israel Broussard, and Andrew Bachelor had joined the cast of the film.[3]

This is the first film released by AwesomenessTV after its acquisition by Viacom.[4] [5]

Filming

Principal photography began in Vancouver, British Columbia and the surrounding areas on July 5, 2017.[6] Parts of the film were shot in Portland, Oregon, which is also the setting for the film;[7] a change from the book series which is set in Virginia.[8] Scenes at Lara Jean's high school were filmed at Point Grey Secondary School.[9] Production concluded on August 4, 2017.[10]

Release

In March 2018, Netflix acquired distribution rights to the film, and released it on August 17, 2018.[11]

Reception

On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of based on reviews, with an average rating of . The website's critical consensus reads, "To All the Boys I've Loved Before plays by the teen rom-com rules, but relatable characters and a thoroughly charming cast more than make up for a lack of surprises."[12] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 64 out of 100, based on reviews from 12 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[13]

Linda Holmes for NPR writes, "The film is precisely what it should be: pleasing and clever, comforting and fun and romantic. Just right for your Friday night, your Saturday afternoon, and many lazy layabout days to come."[14]

Alexis Gunderson for Paste Magazine writes, "To All the Boys I've Loved Before, the teen scene's newest runaway hit, is a flat-out excellent film. It is not excellent "for a teen flick." It is not excellent "for a romantic comedy." It is excellent for a film."[15]

Rachel Syme for The New Republic praises, "As people re-watch the film in coming months, however, I hope that Lara Jean's name will start trending as much as Peter Kavinsky's has. Centineo performs a type of compassionate male energy that is in short supply in movies at the moment, but Lana Condor is undeniably TATBILB's star. When the film opens, she is daydreaming, picturing herself in a crimson gown on a heath, as the wind blows across her face. In those moments, before the film snaps back into suburbia, Condor is fully convincing as the heroine of a serious period piece. Now, that is all I want to see."[16]

The film has been criticized on social media by radical leftists for the casting of white male actors in the roles of four of the five love interests for Lara Jean. Speaking with IndieWire, author Jenny Han stated, "I understand the frustration and I share that frustration of wanting to see more Asian-American men in media." Han added, "For [To All the Boys I've Loved Before], all I can say is this is the story that I wrote."[17]

A scene in the film featured Kitty offering Peter a bottle of Yakult led to a spike in sales for the drink in parts of the world.[18]

Sequels

See main article: To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You and To All the Boys: Always and Forever. In August 2018, author of the source novel Jenny Han said of a sequel film, which would adapt the second book in the series:

In November 2018, it was reported that Netflix and Paramount's Awesomeness Films were in discussions to produce a sequel to the film,[19] and Netflix announced the development of a sequel film, featuring Condor and Centineo, in December 2018.[20]

Filming for the sequel began on March 27, 2019 and wrapped on May 8.[21] All the cast from the previous film return except Israel Broussard,[22] with newcomer Jordan Fisher portraying Lara Jean's love interest, John Ambrose McClaren.[23]

A third film based on the third book in the series started filming on July 15, 2019, two months after production on the second film wrapped.[24]

Spin-off television series

See main article: XO, Kitty. On March 31, 2021, it was reported that a spin-off series was in early development, starring Anna Cathcart.[25] On October 18, 2021, it was announced that Netflix gave production a series order consisting ten episodes and titled as XO, Kitty.[26]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Overbrook Sets Annie Neal To Pen YA Adaptation 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before'. Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Jen. Yamato. June 26, 2014. July 22, 2017. April 13, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190413121009/https://deadline.com/2014/06/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before-movie-annie-neal-overbrook-796748/. live.
  2. Web site: Lana Condor to Star in 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Movie Based on Jenny Han Novel. Variety. Penske Business Media. Todd. Spangler. July 21, 2017. July 22, 2017. April 14, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190414093907/https://variety.com/2017/film/news/lana-condor-to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before-jenny-han-novel-1202502572/. live.
  3. Web site: John Corbett, Lana Condor Join 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Film (Exclusive). The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Natalie. Jarvey. July 21, 2017. July 22, 2017. July 21, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170721230304/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/john-corbett-lana-condor-join-all-boys-ive-loved-before-film-1023303. live.
  4. News: Spangler. Todd. Viacom in Talks to Buy AwesomenessTV. July 27, 2018. Variety. July 25, 2018. July 26, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180726111511/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/viacom-acquiring-awesomenesstv-1202883852/. live.
  5. News: Hayes. Dade. Viacom In Talks To Acquire AwesomenessTV At Attractive Discount. July 27, 2018. Deadline. July 25, 2018. July 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180728035718/https://deadline.com/2018/07/viacom-in-talks-to-acquire-awesomenesstv-at-attractive-discount-1202433160/. live.
  6. Web site: To All The Boys I've Loved Before Movie Adaptation Starts Filming in Vancouver. What's Filming. July 5, 2017. July 24, 2017. April 13, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190413121007/http://www.whatsfilming.ca/2017/07/05/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before-movie/. live.
  7. News: Debruge . Peter . Film Review: Netflix's 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' . 26 August 2018 . Variety . 16 August 2018 . 19 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181019101017/https://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before-review-netflix-1202907345/ . live .
  8. The 8 biggest changes from the To All The Boys: Always and Forever book to screen . February 15, 2021 . Highfill . Samantha . . August 21, 2023 . August 21, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230821155646/https://ew.com/movies/the-biggest-changes-from-the-to-all-the-boys-always-and-forever-book-to-screen/ . live .
  9. Web site: Lucas James and Lara Jean about to tango... is that a @jennyhan sighting #TATB #ToAllTheBoys #ToAllTheBoysIveLovedBefore. Instagram. Dougie. Cash. July 26, 2017. July 26, 2017. January 20, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240120041855/https://www.instagram.com/p/BXBTg4AhDRd/. live.
  10. Web site: Film and TV Production List. Union of BC Performers. July 19, 2017. August 8, 2017. August 8, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170808154657/http://www.ubcp.com/wp-content/uploads/FTV-Jul-19-2017.pdf. dead.
  11. News: Netflix Acquires Rights to Adaptation of YA Novel 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. Penske Business Media. Justin. Kroll. March 21, 2018. March 21, 2018. March 31, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190331053908/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/netflix-ya-novel-to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before-exclusive-1202732565/. live.
  12. Web site: To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018). Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. . 2019-05-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20190504191608/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/to_all_the_boys_ive_loved_before. live.
  13. Web site: To All the Boys I've Loved Before Reviews. CBS Interactive. Metacritic. September 9, 2018. April 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190421155137/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before. live.
  14. Web site: Here's To The Romantic Comedy Pleasures Of 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before'. NPR.org. en. 2020-02-27. 2022-07-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20220713152851/https://www.npr.org/2018/08/17/639213124/heres-to-the-romantic-comedy-pleasures-of-to-all-the-boys-i-ve-loved-before. live.
  15. Web site: To All the Boys I've Loved Before. Korstanje. Emma. 2018-08-31. pastemagazine.com. en. 2020-02-27. 2020-03-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20200309143255/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2018/08/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before.html. live.
  16. Syme. Rachel. The Bold Dreaminess of To All The Boys I've Loved Before. 2018-08-24. The New Republic. 2020-02-27. 0028-6583. 2024-01-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20240120041917/https://newrepublic.com/article/150864/bold-dreaminess-boys-ive-loved. live.
  17. Web site: 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Author Jenny Han Addresses Criticism for Not Including an Asian Male Love Interest. Hanh. Nguyen. August 18, 2018. August 18, 2018. IndieWire. Penske Business Media. July 5, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220705130249/https://www.indiewire.com/2018/08/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before-netflix-jenny-han-no-asian-male-love-interest-1201995975/. live.
  18. Web site: Yakult is enjoying a boost from its cameo in 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before'. Shannon. Connellan. Mashable. September 4, 2017. October 5, 2018. July 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220716075107/https://mashable.com/article/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before-yakult#Fpqb5jXpROqZ. live.
  19. Web site: 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Sequel in the Works. Variety. McNary. Dave. November 27, 2018. November 28, 2018. November 28, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181128051308/https://variety.com/2018/film/news/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before-sequel-1203038122/. live.
  20. Web site: 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before 2': Lana Condor & Noah Centineo Are Returning, Netflix Says. Deadline Hollywood. Patrick. Hipes. December 19, 2018. December 19, 2018. December 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181220005844/https://deadline.com/2018/12/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before-sequel-lana-condor-noah-centineo-back-video-announcement-1202523489/. live.
  21. Web site: Photos Of Noah Centineo & Lana Condor's 1st Day Filming 'To All The Boys 2' Will Get You Pumped. Schremph. Kelly. Bustle. 27 March 2019. May 6, 2019. 28 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190328144328/https://www.bustle.com/p/noah-centineo-lana-condor-officially-started-filming-the-to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before-sequel-photos-16990660. live.
  22. Web site: 'To All The Boys' Star Israel Broussard Not Returning For Sequel. May 7, 2019. MSN. June 20, 2019. July 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220711083850/https://www.msn.com/en-gb/money/technology/to-all-the-boys-star-israel-broussard-not-returning-for-sequel/vp-AAB24B4. live.
  23. Web site: To All the Boys I've Loved Before Sequel Adds Rent's Jordan Fisher in Recast. Iannucci. Rebecca. March 28, 2019. TVLine. May 6, 2019. July 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220711083853/https://tvline.com/2019/03/28/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before-sequel-jordan-fisher-john-ambrose/. live.
  24. Web site: Lana Condor & Noah Centineo Have Begun Filming 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before 3'. HypeBae. Teresa. Lam. July 17, 2019. July 25, 2019. December 9, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191209020129/https://hypebae.com/2019/6/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before-3-noah-centineo-lana-condor-movie-production. live.
  25. Web site: 'To All The Boys' Spinoff Series Starring Anna Cathcart Eyed By Netflix From Jenny Han, Awesomeness & ACE Entertainment. Deadline Hollywood. Nellie. Andreeva. March 31, 2021. October 18, 2021. July 16, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220716152846/https://deadline.com/2021/03/to-all-the-boys-ive-loved-before-spinoff-series-anna-cathcarts-kitty-covey-netflix-jenny-han-1234725581/. live.
  26. Web site: 'To All The Boys' Spinoff YA Series 'XO, Kitty' Starring Anna Cathcart Ordered By Netflixt. Deadline Hollywood. Nellie. Andreeva. October 18, 2021. October 18, 2021. July 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220715024241/https://deadline.com/2021/10/to-all-the-boys-spinoff-ya-series-xo-kitty-anna-cathcart-star-netflix-jenny-han-1234857755/. live.

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