Hello everyone!
From the number of times, Jenny Han’s trilogy “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” has appeared on my blog (here, instagram posts and here!), it was no surprise that I was very excited about the book-to-movie adaptation.
I’m not going to lie that, when the mere idea of a movie adaptation of my beloved-trilogy was going to be made, I was a bit sceptical. Even more so when the cast was announced and that the lead actress wasn’t Korean-American as it is a huge part of the book and Lara Jean’s identity. I understood how some people felt that the message that would go out is that Asians are interchangeable for Hollywood.
CAST:
How deeply I regret now my lack of enthusiasm. I think the cast was wonderfully chosen. I honestly could not picture a better Lara Jean than Lana Candor. She portrayed Lara Jean to perfection and her acting was the right mixture between innocence and boldness that characterizes Lara Jean. She made Lara Jean as likeable and as relatable than she is in the book and I’m honestly sorry for doubting her. Also, I cannot stress enough how representation matters and that it was amazing to see an Asian leading actress as Lana Candor is a Vietnamese-American actress. It was a nice and most needed change.
Same goes for the casting of Peter Kavinsky. Noah Centineo was the perfect Peter K and I liked how he had that “I’m popular but not a douchebag” vibe going on. Also, Noah Centineo and Lana Candor’s chemistry worked really well and it didn’t seem forced at all. It also helps that both actors are extremely good-looking.
Also a female protagonist?? A female author and a female director?? YES PLEASE and thank you.
PLOT:
As far as the plot goes, I thought it was tremendously well adapted. The movie kept the essence of the book and conveyed the main themes present in the book, such as love, family, trust and friendship. It’s everything one expects when told one of their favourite books is turned into a movie. Obviously, there are many things I loved in the book that I missed in the movie, particularly Peter and Lara Jean’s Halloween costumes, Lara Jean baking cakes were for Peter or even Stormy; John Ambrose Mclaren’s grandmother. Speaking of John Ambrose McLaren, I liked how they introduced him briefly for a potential-second movie.
I honestly give the movie a 10/10, because it was everything I hoped for and more and I already can’t get enough of it. Excuse me while I go watch it again… Here’s the trailer if you are still hesitant: here
Anotherbookworm 