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

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To All the Boys I've Loved Before
Official poster
Directed bySusan Johnson
Written bySofia Alvarez
Based onTo All the Boys I've Loved Before
by Jenny Han
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyMichael Fimognari
Edited by
Music byJoe Wong
Production
companies
Distributed byNetflix
Release date
  • August 17, 2018 (2018-08-17) (United States)
Running time
99 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

To All the Boys I've Loved Before is a 2018 American teen romance 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. Based on Jenny Han's 2014 novel of the same name, it was released by Netflix on August 17, 2018.

It is the first installment in the To All the Boys I've Loved Before film series and followed by two sequels, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You and To All the Boys: Always and Forever, Lara Jean, with the first released on February 12, 2020.[1]

Plot

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 latest letter is to her childhood friend Josh, who is dating her older sister Margot. When Margot moves to college, she breaks up with Josh. Lara Jean has always had a crush on Josh and decides it would not be okay to date him.

One night, while hanging out with her little sister, Kitty, Lara Jean falls asleep on the couch, allowing Kitty to sneak into her room and find her collection of letters. The following Monday at school, Lara Jean is confronted by a former crush of hers, Peter Kavinsky. Peter reveals he was mailed the letter Lara Jean wrote him causing her to faint. After waking up, she sees Josh approaching with a letter of his own, and in a moment of panic, Lara Jean kisses Peter on the school track to throw Josh off before running off.

Lara Jean then encounters another recipient of a letter, Lucas, who comes out as gay as she realizes all the letters have been mailed.

She later left her house when Josh showed up unannounced. Lara Jean then encounter Peter at her favorite diner. She then explains to him that she was merely causing Josh to think she lost interest in him. Peter is surprisingly okay with this, and proposes he and Lara Jean fake date each other 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 the lie.

However, when Peter finds Gen actually jealous, he finds himself conflicted on his true feelings. Meanwhile, Lara Jean finds herself jealous at the two. Eventually, the two go on the school ski trip together, where they confront each other about their true feelings. They proceed to kiss while alone in a hot tub. After the trip ends, Gen confronts Lara Jean, revealing Peter spent the night in her room after they kissed and taunting Lara Jean by showing her a scrunchie Peter let her take, that was actually Lara Jean's favorite. Furious, Lara Jean breaks up with Peter and storms home, where she finds Margot has returned from college. Peter then comes to her house, hoping to explain that nothing happened between him and Gen, but Josh arrives as well. Margot overhears everything, and is visibly 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 video of her and Peter in the hot tub has been put up on Instagram, seemingly showing the two in a sexual act.

Lara Jean asks for Margot's help, who calms down and comforts her sister. Kitty then reveals she was the one who sent the letters. While Lara Jean is enraged, Margot calms her down when she asks why the letters had addresses on them. Lara Jean realizes she may have wanted to send them but was too afraid to do so, and the sisters forgive each other before emailing Instagram to get the video taken down.

After Christmas break, Lara Jean discovers everyone knows about the video anyway, while Peter tries to tell everyone that nothing happened. Lara Jean confronts Gen about the video, who reveals she tried to sabotage their relationship as she felt betrayed when Lara Jean kissed Peter during spin the bottle at a seventh grade party. After talking with her dad and reevaluating the relationships in her life, Lara Jean talks to Josh, who agrees to be friends again. When she hesitates to go to Peter despite having real feelings, Kitty pushes her to do so. Lara Jean goes to see Peter, and he tells her he is in love with her. The two kiss before walking off together.

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

Cast and characters

The leading actors Lana Condor (left) and Noah Centineo (right).
  • Lana Condor as Lara Jean
    • Isabelle Beech as young Lara Jean
  • Noah Centineo as Peter, one of Lara Jean's love letter recipients
    • Hunter Dillon as young Peter
  • Janel Parrish as Margot, Lara Jean's older sister and Josh's ex-girlfriend
  • Anna Cathcart as Kitty, Lara Jean's younger sister
  • Andrew Bachelor as Greg, Peter's best friend
  • Trezzo Mahoro as Lucas, a friend of Lara Jean's and one of her former crushes
  • Madeleine Arthur as Christine, Genevieve's cousin and Lara Jean's best friend
  • Emilija Baranac as Gen, Peter's ex-girlfriend and Lara Jean's former best friend in middle school
    • Rhys Fleming as young Gen
  • Israel Broussard as Josh, Margot's ex-boyfriend and one of Lara Jean's former loves
    • Christian Michael Cooper as young Josh
  • John Corbett as Dr. Covey, Lara Jean's father
  • Kelcey Mawema as Emily, a friend of Gen's
  • Julia Benson as Ms. Kavinsky, Peter's mother
  • Joey Pacheco as Owen, Peter's younger brother
  • Edward Kewin as Kenny, one of Lara Jean's love letter recipients
  • Jordan Burtchett as John Ambrose, one of Lara Jean's love letter recipients
    • Pavel Piddocke as young John
  • June R. Wilde as Joan, a waitress at the diner Lara Jean hangs out in

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.[2] At that time, writer Annie Neal had been hired to adapt the book for the screen.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4]

This is the first film released by AwesomenessTV after its acquisition by Viacom.[5][6]

Filming

Principal photography began in Vancouver, British Columbia and the surrounding areas on July 5, 2017.[7] Parts of the film were shot in Portland, Oregon, which is also the setting for the film.[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 96% based on 68 reviews, with an average rating of 7.22/10. 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 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

Main article: To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You

In August 2018, author of the source novel Jenny Han said of a sequel film, which would adapt the second book in the series:

There's so many things in the second book that I would love to see in a sequel. The whole reason why I wrote a second book was for the character of John Ambrose McClaren, who is a fan favorite, and he's a favorite of mine too. I would love to see that explored, and also there's a character called Stormy that I love to write. I would love to see that.[19]

In November 2018, it was reported that Netflix and Paramount's Awesomeness Films were in discussions to produce a sequel to the film,[20] and Netflix announced development of a sequel film, featuring Condor and Centineo, in December 2018.[21]

Filming for the sequel began on March 27, 2019 and wrapped on May 8.[22] All the cast from the previous film return except Israel Broussard,[23] with newcomer Jordan Fisher portraying Lara Jean's love interest, John Ambrose McClaren.[24]

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.[25]

References

  1. ^ Netflix verified account [@seewhatsnext] (August 15, 2019). "#ToAllTheBoys: P.S. I Still Love You premieres February 12!" (Tweet). Retrieved August 18, 2019 – via Twitter. "And a third film —To All The Boys: Always And Forever Lara Jean — is already in production!!!"
  2. ^ a b Yamato, Jen (June 26, 2014). "Overbrook Sets Annie Neal To Pen YA Adaptation 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before'". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Business Media. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  3. ^ Spangler, Todd (July 21, 2017). "Lana Condor to Star in 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Movie Based on Jenny Han Novel". Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  4. ^ Jarvey, Natalie (July 21, 2017). "John Corbett, Lana Condor Join 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Film (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  5. ^ Spangler, Todd (July 25, 2018). "Viacom in Talks to Buy AwesomenessTV". Variety. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  6. ^ Hayes, Dade (July 25, 2018). "Viacom In Talks To Acquire AwesomenessTV At Attractive Discount". Deadline. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  7. ^ "To All The Boys I've Loved Before Movie Adaptation Starts Filming in Vancouver". What's Filming. July 5, 2017. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  8. ^ Debruge, Peter (16 August 2018). "Film Review: Netflix's 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before'". Variety. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  9. ^ Cash, Dougie (July 26, 2017). "Lucas James and Lara Jean about to tango... is that a @jennyhan sighting #TATB #ToAllTheBoys #ToAllTheBoysIveLovedBefore". Instagram. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  10. ^ "Film and TV Production List" (PDF). Union of BC Performers. July 19, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  11. ^ Kroll, Justin (March 21, 2018). "Netflix Acquires Rights to Adaptation of YA Novel 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Penske Business Media. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  12. ^ "To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved July 30, 2020.
  13. ^ "To All the Boys I've Loved Before Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  14. ^ "Here's To The Romantic Comedy Pleasures Of 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before'". NPR.org. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  15. ^ Korstanje, Emma (2018-08-31). "To All the Boys I've Loved Before". pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  16. ^ Syme, Rachel (2018-08-24). "The Bold Dreaminess of To All The Boys I've Loved Before". The New Republic. ISSN 0028-6583. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  17. ^ Nguyen, Hanh (August 18, 2018). "'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Author Jenny Han Addresses Criticism for Not Including an Asian Male Love Interest". IndieWire. Penske Business Media. Retrieved August 18, 2018.
  18. ^ Connellan, Shannon (September 4, 2017). "Yakult is enjoying a boost from its cameo in 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before'". Mashable.
  19. ^ Nguyen, Hanh (August 20, 2018). "'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Cast and Crew Discuss That Surprise Ending and a Possible Sequel". IndieWire. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  20. ^ McNary, Dave (November 27, 2018). "'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Sequel in the Works". Variety. Retrieved November 28, 2018.
  21. ^ Hipes, Patrick (December 19, 2018). "'To All The Boys I've Loved Before 2': Lana Condor & Noah Centineo Are Returning, Netflix Says". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  22. ^ Schremph, Kelly. "Photos Of Noah Centineo & Lana Condor's 1st Day Filming 'To All The Boys 2' Will Get You Pumped". Bustle. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  23. ^ "'To All The Boys' Star Israel Broussard Not Returning For Sequel". MSN. May 7, 2019. Retrieved June 20, 2019.
  24. ^ Iannucci, Rebecca (March 28, 2019). "To All the Boys I've Loved Before Sequel Adds Rent's Jordan Fisher in Recast". TVLine. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  25. ^ Lam, Teresa (July 17, 2019). "Lana Condor & Noah Centineo Have Begun Filming 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before 3'". HypeBae.
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