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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 release 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 romantic comedy 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. The movie is based on Jenny Han's 2014 novel of the same name, and was released by Netflix on August 17, 2018. It received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised the cast.

It has been the first installment in what is now the To All the Boys film series. It was followed by two sequels, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, released on February 12, 2020, and To All the Boys: Always and Forever on February 12, 2021. A spin-off series titled XO, Kitty was released on May 18, 2023.

Plot

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Shy high school junior Lara Jean Covey writes letters to boys she feels an intense passion for, before locking the letters away in her closet. One of the letters regards her childhood friend Josh Sanderson, who dated Lara Jean's older sister Margot until she broke up with him before leaving for college. Lara Jean finds her feelings for Josh resurfacing, but chooses not to pursue him, opting to instead write a postscript to Josh's letter before putting it back in her closet.

One night, Lara Jean falls asleep on the couch while hanging out with her little sister, Kitty, who sneaks into her room and finds her collection of letters. The following Monday at school, Lara Jean is confronted by a former middle school crush, Peter Kavinsky. He explains that he received her letter, causing her to faint. After waking up, she sees Josh approaching with his letter, and in a moment of panic, Lara Jean kisses Peter to throw Josh off before running away.

Lara Jean encounters Lucas, another recipient of a letter, who she learns is gay. She begins to realize that all the letters have been mailed. She later leaves her house to avoid both Josh and Peter, but Peter follows her to a diner. She explains her situation and tells Peter that their kiss was to dissuade Josh.

Peter proposes that he and Lara Jean fake a relationship in order to make Peter's ex-girlfriend Gen jealous, as well as convince Josh that Lara Jean no longer has feelings for him. Lara Jean agrees, and as the next few months go by, the whole school, along with their respective friends and families, believe they are dating.

As Peter and Lara Jean spend more time together, they find themselves conflicted with their developing attraction to each other. Gen expresses her jealousy to Peter, who hesitates to end the relationship with Lara Jean. On the school ski trip, Peter admits his feelings for Lara Jean, and the two end up kissing while alone in a hot tub. At the end of the trip, Gen tells Lara Jean that Peter spent the night in her room after the kiss. She taunts Lara Jean with her favorite scrunchie, which she took from Peter.

Furious, Lara Jean breaks up with Peter and storms home, where she finds Margot has returned from college. Peter arrives, attempting to explain that nothing happened between him and Gen, but Josh arrives as well to confront Peter. Margot overhears everything, and is upset when she learns of Lara Jean's former feelings for Josh. Things are worsened when, after Lara Jean asks Peter and Josh to leave, she sees that a provocative video of her and Peter in the hot tub has been posted on Instagram.

Lara Jean reconciles with Margot, who comforts her. Kitty reveals she was the one who sent the letters. An enraged Lara Jean is calmed down by Margot, who reasons that Lara Jean may have wanted to send the letters but was too afraid to. The sisters forgive each other before getting Instagram to take down the video. After Christmas break, Lara Jean discovers that her schoolmates have discovered the video, and theorizes that Gen posted it. When she confronts Gen, Gen admits she tried to sabotage their relationship as she felt betrayed that Lara Jean kissed Peter during a spin the bottle game four years ago.

After talking with her dad and her best friend Chris, Lara Jean reevaluates her relationships and reconciles her friendship with Josh. When she hesitates to tell Peter about her real feelings, Kitty shows her notes that he wrote during their 'relationship'. Lara Jean goes to see Peter, and he tells her that he is in love with her. They kiss before walking off together.

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

Cast and characters

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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 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 widowed 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 McClaren, 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

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Development

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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.[1] At that time, writer Annie Neal had been hired to adapt the book for the screen.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3]

This is the first film released by AwesomenessTV after its acquisition by Viacom.[4][5]

Filming

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Principal photography began in Vancouver, British Columbia and the surrounding areas on July 5, 2017.[6] Parts of the film were shot in Portland, Oregon, which is also the setting for the film;[7] a change from the book series which is set in Virginia.[8] Scenes at Lara Jean's high school were filmed at Point Grey Secondary School.[9] Production concluded on August 4, 2017.[10]

Release

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In March 2018, Netflix acquired distribution rights to the film, and released it on August 17, 2018.[11]

Reception

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On the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 96% based on 70 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. 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 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

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Main articles: To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You and To All the Boys: Always and Forever

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 the 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]

Spin-off television series

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Main article: XO, Kitty

On March 31, 2021, it was reported that a spin-off series was in early development, starring Anna Cathcart.[26] On October 18, 2021, it was announced that Netflix gave production a series order consisting ten episodes and titled as XO, Kitty.[27]

References

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  1. ^ 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. Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  2. ^ 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. Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  3. ^ 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. Archived from the original on July 21, 2017. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  4. ^ Spangler, Todd (July 25, 2018). "Viacom in Talks to Buy AwesomenessTV". Variety. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  5. ^ Hayes, Dade (July 25, 2018). "Viacom In Talks To Acquire AwesomenessTV At Attractive Discount". Deadline. Archived from the original on July 28, 2018. Retrieved July 27, 2018.
  6. ^ "To All The Boys I've Loved Before Movie Adaptation Starts Filming in Vancouver". What's Filming. July 5, 2017. Archived from the original on April 13, 2019. Retrieved July 24, 2017.
  7. ^ Debruge, Peter (16 August 2018). "Film Review: Netflix's 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before'". Variety. Archived from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 26 August 2018.
  8. ^ Highfill, Samantha (February 15, 2021). "The 8 biggest changes from the To All The Boys: Always and Forever book to screen". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 21, 2023. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
  9. ^ Cash, Dougie (July 26, 2017). "Lucas James and Lara Jean about to tango... is that a @jennyhan sighting #TATB #ToAllTheBoys #ToAllTheBoysIveLovedBefore". Instagram. Archived from the original on January 20, 2024. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  10. ^ "Film and TV Production List" (PDF). Union of BC Performers. July 19, 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 8, 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. Archived from the original on March 31, 2019. Retrieved March 21, 2018.
  12. ^ "To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on 2019-05-04. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  13. ^ "To All the Boys I've Loved Before Reviews". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on April 21, 2019. Retrieved September 9, 2018.
  14. ^ "Here's To The Romantic Comedy Pleasures Of 'To All The Boys I've Loved Before'". NPR.org. Archived from the original on 2022-07-13. Retrieved 2020-02-27.
  15. ^ Korstanje, Emma (2018-08-31). "To All the Boys I've Loved Before". pastemagazine.com. Archived from the original on 2020-03-09. 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. Archived from the original on 2024-01-20. 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. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. 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. Archived from the original on July 16, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2018.
  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. Archived from the original on August 21, 2018. Retrieved August 21, 2018.
  20. ^ McNary, Dave (November 27, 2018). "'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Sequel in the Works". Variety. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018. 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. Archived from the original on December 20, 2018. Retrieved December 19, 2018.
  22. ^ Schremph, Kelly (27 March 2019). "Photos Of Noah Centineo & Lana Condor's 1st Day Filming 'To All The Boys 2' Will Get You Pumped". Bustle. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved May 6, 2019.
  23. ^ "'To All The Boys' Star Israel Broussard Not Returning For Sequel". MSN. May 7, 2019. Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. 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. Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. 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. Archived from the original on December 9, 2019. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
  26. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 31, 2021). "'To All The Boys' Spinoff Series Starring Anna Cathcart Eyed By Netflix From Jenny Han, Awesomeness & ACE Entertainment". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 16, 2022. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  27. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 18, 2021). "'To All The Boys' Spinoff YA Series 'XO, Kitty' Starring Anna Cathcart Ordered By Netflixt". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 15, 2022. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
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