Okay, guys. I know what you're thinking. Oh, it's just another 'Kissing Booth.' Oh, the movie is never as good as the book. Netflix's newest Rom-com cannot possibly live up the hype. Well, think again, because Netflix just did another thing, and it's got everybody talking. I don't know what Netflix has got going on, but they've got something good, and their latest series of original rom-coms are pulling on everybody's heartstrings. If you don't have a subscription, I urge you to sign up right away, because following "The Kissing Booth," "Set It Up," and the latest and loveliest, "To All The Boys I've Loved Before"- well, I don't know what the next trick is that Netflix has got up their sleeve. All, I know is, I can't wait to see what's next.
"To All The Boys I've Loved Before" features a beautifully witty, cute, and creative cast. Lara Jean, the main character, is played by the stunningly gorgeous and talented Lana Condor, who plays the part of an awkward, sweet, and smart sixteen-year-old so well. She infuses such character, reliability, and beauty into the character, who every 'invisible-feeling' teenager can feel an instant connection with.
We all can identify with that struggle of feeling invisible, and like nothing we do is felt or seen by anybody. We all have crushes that we adore from afar, but for some reason, we convince ourselves that they could never actually like us back, so we seal our feelings in envelopes in hidden closets, regretting later that we never acted upon such intense emotions. We seldom think to actually make our dream relationships and experiences real. We would rather live quietly, shyly, and simply than live loudly, beautifully, and excitedly, all the while making some mistakes along the artsy journey.
Why is this? The movie follows the life of Lara Jean when she's confronted by her fears when her secret love letters get sent out by 'mistake.' Sealed, addressed, and stamped, perhaps Lara Jean's fantasies were always meant to illuminate. Maybe some secret part of her wanted to live life loudly, not quite so hidden and lonely.
We can all learn something from Lara Jean, who slowly discovers what she was missing out on, living her quiet early teenage years as an 'outcast,' shyly disregarding school friends, trips, and experiences. When fate brings her and her soulmate together, she discovers a new world of happiness, excitement, fun, and most of all- love.
I know that girly romance movies get a bad rep. I can't lie, some are super duper cheesy. But this one is simply different. It inspires me like no other Netflix original ever has before. Perhaps it's because it was a book first, giving it that extra authenticity and soul. Perhaps it's because I can identify with Lara Jean, who is shy when it comes to guys and has never had a real boyfriend or love prior to junior year, which is what I am also entering.
For some reason, I am simply so stuck on this movie. I swear to you, I watch it almost once a day, whenever I find free time. It is girly, sweet, innocent, and perhaps it lacks a dramatic conflict or plot, but it simply is so sweet, heartwarming, happy, and just about melts my heart every single time that I watch it. Overall, I just want you all to know this; yes, "To All The Boys I've Loved Before" lives up to all of the hype. If you're in the mood for some laughter, love, and pure, teenage joy, please put your Netflix password in (or a friend!), sit back, relax, and enjoy the love story. And while you're at it- take this advice. Don't hold back in life. You don't know what you're missing until you already miss it.
Fear will pass, but regrets will last forever. So go-live fearlessly.
XOXO
