To All The Boys: Always and Forever
Starring: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, John Corbett, Anna Cathcart
Directed By: Michael Fimognari
Netflix has taken their audience on a journey the last three years with the teen romance of Laura Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky. There have been breakups, makeups, and love triangles to keep us invested with each Valentine’s release. Although there are so many teen romantic comedies around these days, the “To All The Boys” series (based on the novels by Jenny Han) is fun and fresh. Do they have their share of cliche moments? Of course. But there’s something about the characters' personality and the chemistry of the two leads that makes you want to watch more.
To All the Boys: Always and Forever picks up in Laura Jean and Peter’s senior year of high school. The two make a plan for college so they can both attend Stanford. If you’re wondering, “How does Peter get into Stanford?” I, too, wondered the same thing. He has a lacrosse scholarship. So, it’s an athletic situation. When Laura Jean doesn’t get into Stanford (because there has to be a roadblock somewhere), she considers all of her other potential options for college. What will happen to these high school sweethearts when college separates them? Can they make it work? Will there be a “To All The Boys 4: Quarantine in College?” detailing how Laura Jean and Peter make it through coronavirus? Will they quarantine together? That’s a golden opportunity right there. The script writes itself.
For a third film, To All The Boys: Always and Forever closes this trilogy quite well. While I liked the second film, I think this one was a lot stronger overall. All of the characters have satisfying conclusions that bring this high school saga to a close that you can be happy with. When you look at this series next to something like Netflix’s The Kissing Booth, there’s no comparison to the heartfelt sweetness of To All The Boys.
I was impressed at how creative several sequences in the film were. There are nods to iconic John Hughes films throughout the series, and that continues here. There’s also a The Big Lebowski moment that is entertaining. The film is bursting with creativity and color, whether it’s the opening sequence in Seoul, Korea, or the closing moments at a beautiful backyard wedding.
It helps the film that the cast is so talented. Lana Condor is a perfect lead as Lara Jean. It’s great that her personality continues to grow in each film. In Always and Forever, she takes the next steps towards deciding her future. Lara Jean and her sisters' relationship is always a great dynamic, and Anna Cathcart continues to be a standout of the cast as Kitty, the spunky younger sister.
Lana Condor’s chemistry with Noah Centineo has been apparent since the first film. It’s obvious yet again here. Peter Kavinski has grown a ton as a character since the first movie, and it’s nice to see him and Lara Jean in a relationship without the threat of a love triangle for once. Maybe I haven’t seen a nice romantic comedy in too long, but their relationship is adorable.
As I said, there are cliches in the script. This is a romantic comedy; things happen that would not happen in real life. It’s not realistic, but it makes for a good movie night.
To All The Boys: Always and Forever is a charming conclusion to a sweet high school trilogy that will leave you with a smile on your face.
My Rating: 7/10