Since Hollywood can't seem to come up with original ideas fast enough for the amount of movies they want to make each year, they often choose to make films that are based off already existing works. One of the most popular things they do is making book to movie adaptations. It does make sense to do this, especially if the book they're adapting is already popular. Then there's already an audience who will see the movie purely because it's based off of a book they love.
When they hear the announcement that a book they love is being adapted into a movie, book lovers cheer with delight, and also have a feeling of dread in the pit of their stomach. What if the movie's not good? What if they don't get your favorite character right? What if they change the story completely and the rom com story that takes place in Florida is suddenly on Mars? What if they make Annabeth a brunette instead of blonde?
Well I'm glad to say that when Netflix adapted "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" by Jenny Han into a movie, they completely did the book justice.
When it comes to the young adult genre, most people tend to think of stories involving vampires and rising up against an evil government in a futuristic setting. What they don't think of are good rom coms. Now, thanks to well done movie adaptations like "Love Simon," the young adult genre now seems to be getting more quality rom com adaptations.
"To All the Boys I've Loved Before" is about a girl named Lara Jean who's about to enter her junior year of high school. Over her sixteen years of life, she's had five major crushes. When she did, she wrote a letter to them, sealed it in an envelope and kept it stored away in a hat box her mom gave to her, never intending to actually give the letters to her crushes. Then one day, her life turns up side down when, somehow, the letters actually get mailed out to the five boys. What follows is drama, hilarity and adorableness.
When I first read the book a couple years ago, I thought it would make a great film. So I was really excited when Netflix announced they were making it into a movie, but still a bit nervous it could go wrong. Turns out I had no reason to be nervous. Apart from a few tiny details that had to be changed for the sake of turning a book into a movie, the film captured the book perfectly.
Everyone was perfectly cast in their roles. Lana Condor and Noah Centineo were fantastic as Lara Jean and Peter, they completely carried the movie. Though, I think my favorite performance in the whole movie was Anna Cathcart, as Lara Jean's little sister Kitty. It really makes me wish I had a sister like her.
The book wasn't just about all the romance stuff that was happening in Lara Jean's life. The story also explored family dynamics. Lara Jean's older sister Margot goes off to college in the beginning of the book and she, Kitty and their dad have to experience life without her. Through that, the book can explore changes that happen when growing up.
If anything, the family aspects were my favorite part of the book over the romance, and I'm glad the movie did those well. It even added a touching scene between Lara Jean and her father that wasn't in the book, and I really appreciate it.
Whether you've read the book or not, I highly recommend watching this movie. Even on its own, it makes a great film. And if you watch it and need more of these characters, then I have good news for you; the book has two sequels.
