A film that is better as a lullaby rather than entertainment

‘To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You’ movie review 

By Tania Arora, Staff Writer

2/5

After the first 10 minutes of this film, I had to pour myself a shot of espresso to get through the rest. I recently watched the first film, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and that movie made me reminisce about old school romance more than I ever have. Spoilers ahead!

Even though I am in my early 20s’, I was desperately waiting for high school romance movie To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You to release. I was excited for the second part—I planned a date night with my best friend where I got wine and she got food. We changed into our pajamas and covered ourselves with a blanket… only to yawn and debate whether to watch ahead or sleep. 

High expectations were shattered the very moment I started to watch the movie. No doubt, Noah Centineo is my celebrity crush and I envy Lana Condor’s appearance. The two together were one of the main reasons I watched the movie. I was hoping for more real time romance after they expressed their feelings for each other in the first film. Sadly, director Michael Fimognari served it like a slice of tomato or onion on the side of a dish. You hardly get to see the duo romancing each other on screen.

The movie is now more about problems—which shouldn’t even exist—that the couple are facing. And then, Lara Jean (Lana Condor) starts to drift towards a returned childhood ex-crush, John Ambrose (Jordan Burtchett) instead of her boyfriend Peter (Noah Centineo). 

“Baking is my way of destressing,” says Lara. Hence, you will find her doing that for most of the movie. Peter is still not over his ex, Genevieve (Emilija Baranac), so she is still hovering around the couple. The only constant entertainer in the film is Kitty (Anna Cathcart). Her adorable looks and dialogue delivery lifted the mood of the room whenever she was on the screen. 

The ending was predictable, but I also felt that it was not honest. When Lara kissed John and then realized she wasn’t into him, she ran back to Peter—who she had dumped in the morning—and kissed him too. Woah! I mean, where is the apology or regret? You kissed the frog to find your prince… but at least let the prince know that you kissed another frog while he was away. 

More than a love story, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, is a love triangle where two guys are fighting to win a girl, and the girl is confused for no reason. 

So, whenever you plan to watch this movie next, prepare your coffee ahead of time and try to be anything but sober. It might teach you some lessons here and there, but nothing major.