TO ALL THE BOYS I'VE LOVED BEFORE
To All the Boys I've Loved Before // © Awesomeness Films
Trust this film to be the one to make me dust off my film blogging cap.
I. FLIPPIN'. LURVED. IT!!
I mean, I could just end my love letter to this film there but where is the fun in that? To All the Boys I've Loved Before is the latest high school drama to have taken the world by storm and quite rightly so. It ticks all the right boxes in the sweetest and funniest of ways and I could not be more pleased. Well... if Netflix were to announced they will be continuing the series then yes, maybe I could be more pleased.
And yes, folks. this wonderful world of charming adolescence woes, envy inducing bottles of Yakult and true-hearted sisterhood is part of a series.
Based on the young adult novel of the same title written by Jenny Han, To All the Boys I've Loved Before is a film you simply just need to watch and then come find me so we can discuss beloved coming of age story about a certain 16 year old Lara Jean who takes it upon herself to pen an honest love letter to every boy she's loved & wants to get over, never once thinking anyone will read them until one day...
Kitty (Anna Cathcart), Margot (Janel Parrish) and Lara Jean (Lana Condor) in To All the Boys I've Loved Before // © Awesomeness Films
Aside from To All the Boys I've Loved Before being an incredible feel-good film sure to make you feel all the feels and smile all the smiles, it is one that's helped move the American film industry forward a bit (along with Crazy Rich Asians and Searching) in terms of Asian American representation on-screen. Jenny Han wrote a pretty powerful piece for The New York Times on what it would have meant to her younger self to see an Asian American character with more depth than being a one-dimensional sidekick or named 'Ready to Have Sex Girl' on-screen. She also discussed what made her go with the production company that helped turn her beautiful story into a film:
They were the only one to agree to cast an Asian actress...
To play a Asian American character...
I mean, this should be a no brainer no?
Starring Lana Condor (X-Men: Apocalypse; Patriots Day), thankfully, as the quirky, smart and soulful Lara Jean whom I cannot wait to get know more when I have read the books, this film easily tugs you into the shoes of a teenager who is discovering the layered potential of true connection and communication. Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars; Heroes) and Anna Cathcart (Once Upon A Time; Descendants 2) act as her sometimes loving, sometimes provoking sisters Margot and Kitty while the men in her life are played by Noah Centineo (The Fosters; T@gged), Israel Broussard (Extinction; Happy Death Day) and the so-good-to-see-you-again John Corbett (Parenthood; Sex and the City).
It was truly gratifying, slightly nerve-wracking, heart-warming and nostalgia-inducing watching the various storylines intertwine and unravel in tandem. And you bet your arse I'll be watching it for the 3rd time (and counting). Question is, do I read the book first? Help!
P.S. I am aware that I have not discussed anything technical in this post but I think that's ok as I am still wrapped up in the film's warm and fuzzy aura. Plus I have a good feeling I'll back on this soapbox soon once I have read the book and watched the film a few more times. In other news, I hear another high school drama is on the way (7th of Sept) via good ol' Netflix: Sierra Burgess Is a Loser? Are you excited? I'm excited. Ok, I'll stop now.