I was one of the many folks who got completely swept away by the Netflix rom-com, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. I only watched it the once so who knows if I would feel the same way now but at the time, it gave me all the belly butterflies and heart-pulsing joy I had in high school. I walked away from it feeling happy, and confident that the story had been told and didn’t need a sequel. But, guess what. It got one because money talks in Hollywood. I’d resigned myself to not watching the sequel because I believe lightening rarely strikes twice. But the trailer for the sequel, To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, just dropped so let’s weigh in:
I’m seeing a lot to like here. It’s great that so much of the cast came back. Honestly, every time I come across Lana Condor, I think I fall a little more in love with her. And she and Noah Centineo have so much chemistry (I know it’s platonic, doesn’t detract) that I think the butterflies will come back. I hope Trezzo Mahoro gets a lot of screen time as Lucas, he’s a treasure. And I love the addition of Holland Taylor, who I hope plays Lara Jean’s eccentric grandmother.
But the story is what’s winning me over, because it looks messy. Not for me, but for my kids. They are exploring crushes and have questions about the adolescent heart. Because I always followed my heart in my teens and my kids are completely in their heads when it comes to crushes, it’s been fascinating. We’ve had some interesting complex discussions where I keep trying to explain that any kind of affection – love, like, lust, new, established, young, old – is magnificent, dispiriting, life-affirming and soul-crushing. Chances are, they will get their hearts broken and it will suck, but it will also be an experience worth having. That’s a hard concept for young teens. But, if this movie captures some of those complexities in a relatable way, maybe it’s just what I’ve been looking for.
Now, if only I could get them to watch it with me.
Photos credit: Bettina Strauss for Netflix press, and WENN/Avalon Photos
I kind of hate how attractive I find him haha. He’s like 6 years my junior, but hot damn, he’s a beautiful guy.
Same girl, same.
That whole trailer, I was like ‘girl you better pick Peter kavinsky’
Wow2- EXACTLY!!
I think it’s pretty safe to say yes, I will still love it!! Watching both trailers for this I’ve been struck by just how instantly sucked in I was- did the job completely brilliantly of reminding me just why and how much I fell in love with the first movie, how delighted I was by it, and they’ve given me those feelings right back even just from the minute or so length of them. If the second movie does as a good a job of delighting me in the way its trailers have, I’ll love it just as much.
Though, I have to admit… as sweet as I think the new kid looks… I’ve more or less already made up my mind in this love triangle. I’m prepared to try to keep an open mind, but admittedly I find Lara Jean and Peter so incredibly charming together (Lana and Noah really are SO GREAT together) I don’t really want to. I just want them to have their happy ever after!!
I loved the first one more than I think I was supposed to. Can’t wait! If it’s terrible, I’ll still probably watch it 4 times just to be sure.
I soooo can’t wait for the premiere. Luckily I have season 2 of Sex Education to bare with while I wait. Also, I still can’t believe Dr. Covey is played by none other than John Corbett AKA Aidan Shaw!!! He’s one of the best parts of the first movies.
I’m guessing the sequel might have a little bit to do with money talking – but also a lot to do with the fact that these movies are adapted from the very popular three-book series by Jenny Han. All super cute!
I think it looks really cute! Those kids are all so cute together. I love Noah but this new kid is cute. Honestly, these movies seems to have the most beautiful sets, it’s just all aspirational design porn for me. I watched the first one like 10 times, I’m sure
i feel it’s a perfect little film to watch home alone and smile like a crazy lady. that’s how i do it anyway. just that it’s funny – did we all think we would find happily ever after as teenagers? i just have to laugh at that idea. but it’s still cute. and that’s the point no?
I watch it a ton while home alone!
Well, I mostly fast forward through the boring parts and just watch the cute scenes. (Basically anything with her older sister is a pass. She’s in her 30s, and I absolutely can’t unsee it. Janel Parrish is beautiful and talented, but she is NOT 18.)
hahahah i totally get what you’re saying. and i watch these two whenever i’m sick – 10 things i hate about you, and 1995 pride and prejudice. since i know them i also just skip through certain parts and yes these are precisely the ones in this film.
Just dropping a note to say that Jordan Fischer is adorable and crazy talented. I think he will add some interest to this love triangle. He was on Liv & Maddie a while back and actually did some great work on that show. My daughters definitely find him swoon worthy. I believe he is going to be in Evan Hansen on Broadway too.
He’s adorable and talented. They did a huge search for John Ambrose so he must have brought the chemistry with Lana Condor. That’s how Noah Centenio was picked, in the beginning they thought the actor who played Josh would be Peter but changed their minds when they saw Noah and Lana read together.
I seriously watched the first movie 10 times, it’s so perfect. Can’t wait for this!
I won’t give any spoilers but I will say that I was definitely torn between both boys in the books. Way more than I ever thought i would be