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The details on “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before”

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Julia Guerrein, Editor-in-Chief

9-18-2018

Another Netflix made movie has taken viewers by storm. “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” is not only fantastic, but it has become popular for good reason.

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This film follows Lara Jean, an eleventh-grade student who has a habit of developing deep and soul-crushing crushes on boys, exactly five of them. From her pre-teen years to present, she pens letters to these boys to get her emotions out and to help herself figure out what she is thinking. She goes so far as to address the letters, but she never intends on sending them. The flaw in this is when her younger sister, Kitty, decides it is time to send them. This sets the whole story into motion and would make any viewer feel secondhand horrified.

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A bit of backstory: Lara Jean and Kitty’s older sister, Margot is heading off to college in Scotland. *Spoiler* Margot decides to end her relationship with her longtime boyfriend. Kitty has observed Margot’s happiness with her now-ex, Josh, and wants Lara Jean to stop moping and be happier! So, therefore she sends the letters (although misguided and an invasion of privacy).

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Lara Jean, having been the relatable “good girl”, is approached by her seventh-grade crush, Peter, after he receives a letter. Lara Jean is super confused because she thought the letters were still in her closet. The letter happened to be sent at a perfect time because Peter and his girlfriend, Gen (pronounced like “Jen”) happen to break up around the same time. What a coincidence (but hey, who said this was realistic).

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This then puts into motion Lara Jean and Peter deciding to be fake boyfriend and girlfriend for show. Peter wants to win Gen back and Lara Jean is willing to do that for him. The pair go to parties, start spending a lot of time together, and end up going on a ski trip together. I won’t spoil the ending, but it’s obvious what may or may not happen given the stereotypical teenage rom com format.

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So, of the other boys that received letters, one is gay (although not fully out), one is from summer camp, so we never hear from him, and the last is Margot’s recent ex-boyfriend. This complicates the plot because Josh shows up every once and a while and confuses Lara Jean about whether she actually has feelings for him.

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The movie is a stereotypical and predictable teen-romantic-comedy. It’s like all those cheesy Disney movies that were released between approximately 2004 and 2010, but without any singing. Lara Jean is such a relatable character since she is the “good girl” who is really smart, and everyone thinks she is super innocent. Watching her be happy is contagious.

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It also takes a small but important look at the sisters’ relationship. Their mother died when they were young, so the sister bond is super strong. They are also very close with their dad, who is a gynecologist. He is quirky and awkward and just a great dad.

For anyone who loves cheesy rom coms, this is the film for them. This story warms hearts and leaves the audience wanting more.

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