Lana Condor, pictured left, and Noah Centineo, pictured right, promoting the film To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You (2020) in February 2020. In all three TATB films, Condor portrays Laura Jean Covey across from Centineo, who plays her love interest Peter Kavinsky. This film franchise is based on a series of books written by author Jenny Han. (Courtesy of Cris e Panda on WikiCommons).
Lara Jean and Peter have survived fake dating, jealous exes and charming old crushes, but can they survive their senior year of high school?
Netflix released the final installment of its best rom-com trilogy, To All the Boys: Always and Forever, on Friday Feb. 12. Have a box of tissues at the ready because this movie offers many moments that had me all in my feels. There are spoilers for all three TATBILB movies below. Read at your own risk!
As many should know, this romantic trilogy is based on the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before book series by Jenny Han, one my favorite authors. The movies—though slightly different from the books—are just as amazing as Han’s original work. Though I often try to separate books and movies when I consume them, I’m just glad this cinematic take didn’t completely mess up the integrity of the story.
The first two installments follow hopeless romantic Lara Jean Song Covey—played by Lana Condor—as she navigates her way through the aftermath of her sister Kitty—Anna Cathcart—sending out the five love letters she wrote, but never intended to send, to all her crushes. By the third movie, Lara Jean is perfectly happy in her relationship with hottie lacrosse star Peter Kavinsky—Noah Centineo. Yet, that happiness doesn’t last long as the two have to navigate their toughest relationship challenge yet: senior year of high school.
Aside from the incredible range of acting, the adorable, sketched animation between scenes and the flawless soundtrack, what I love most about this movie are the heartfelt relationships and the personal growth of the characters.
The main relationship in the movie is obviously Lara Jean and Peter, one of the most perfect rom-com relationships in existence. They must learn to communicate through the challenges of choosing where to go to college. Peter is set on Stanford, and when Lara Jean doesn’t get in, she resolves to go to UC Berkley and then transfer. This all changes when Lara Jean visits New York University during their senior trip to the Big Apple.
Despite this major hurdle in their relationship, Lara Jean and Peter still spend many sweet moments together, such as sneaking out past curfew in New York, going bowling in matching pink jackets (which, thanks to COVID, is now disgusting) and dancing at prom. Viewers will swoon as their love story unfolds.
This movie isn’t all about the romantic relationships, though. There’s the hysterical moment in which Lara Jean, her two friends Chris and Gen and several NYU undergrads carry a pink couch onto the subway. Talk about girl power!
Some of the film’s most touching moments are between Lara Jean, Kitty and their older sister Margot—Janel Parrish. Alongside their father and future stepmom, the girls explore their Korean heritage and connect to their mom. One heartfelt moment takes place when they visit N Seoul Tower, an iconic symbol of love, to find the padlock their mother left when she visited with the girls’ father many years ago.
While the film’s relationships stole my heart, the final character development of Lara Jean’s journey really worked to make the movie relatable. As seniors in high school, most of the characters are experiencing major milestones in their life that set them on the path to adulthood and independence. Lara Jean must learn to step out of her comfort zone and take risks.
As mentioned, the biggest contention in Lara Jean and Peter’s relationship is Lara Jean’s desire to move to New York and attend NYU despite also wanting to attend college close to Peter. She fell in love with the charm of the city and the English program at NYU, declaring that she could even intern at a publishing house—which is quite nearly impossible, but I understand the dream.
Lara Jean struggles with her choice because of her fear of losing Peter. Despite her fear, instead of the picking her college based on their relationship, Lara Jean chose herself. That is the best part of the movie and the part that should inspire all young watchers.
Don’t worry, Lara Jean and Peter shippers, because the ending doesn’t disappoint. In fact, the hopeful conclusion is relatively similar to the ending of the book. It’s just a shame that after three years, the TATBILB universe is coming to an end.
In the words of Kitty, “I’m going to miss you a 12, Lara Jean.”