In this third and final installment of the To All the Boys franchise, based on Jenny Han’s book trilogy, Lara Jean and Peter are navigating their final year of high school before heading off to college. Lara Jean and Peter spend a lot of time debating how (and if) their high school romance will survive once they are in college. Additionally, this movie includes a school trip to New York City, a family trip to Korea, Lara Jean and Peter’s senior prom, college acceptance letters (and maybe rejection letters), and a wedding! To All the Boys: Always and Forever features the same cast as the previous two installments; the main characters include Lana Condor as Lara Jean, Noah Centineo as Peter Kavinsky, Anna Cathcart as Kitty Covey, Janel Parrish as Margot Covey, and Madeleine Arthur as Lara Jean’s BFF Chris.
Watching all of the trips featured in this movie was quite enjoyable, I especially loved the cupcake café and the love locks that the Covey family visit on their trip to Seoul. The wardrobe used in this movie was fantastic and Lara Jean’s outfits were stylish as ever, especially the details on her prom dress, and I loved how she still wore her signature scrunchies. Kitty’s cute, colourful, and unique outfits were also great and her hairstyles really suited her personality; I also appreciated that Kitty still wore her iconic “feminist” necklace.
The soundtrack to this movie was very fitting; along with the inclusion of Lauv’s “I Like Me Better” (the catchy tune featured in the first movie’s trailer), Leah Nobel’s “Beginning Middle End” will also be rightfully stuck in viewers heads for weeks to come. Lastly, the inclusion of love letters (and new relationship contracts) was sweet and it seemed as though the ending of Lara Jean and Peter’s story was very satisfying.
As far as movie adaptations go, this one stayed mostly true to the book (Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han); I am a stickler for movie adaptations staying as true to the book as possible. Some major scenes that were unfortunately omitted from the movie include the post-graduation class trip to the beach, Margot bringing home her college boyfriend, Mrs. Kavinsky’s chat with Lara Jean regarding Peter’s future, and Lara Jean’s drunk evening at Trina’s bachelorette party. In contrast, a welcome addition to the movie was Kitty’s love interest and perhaps we can hope for a fourth installment of the To All the Boys franchise featuring Kitty Covey’s love life? Side note for fellow lovers of the To All the Boys books: did anyone else notice that the author, Jenny Han, made a fabulous cameo in one of the flash back scenes!?
Differences between the book and movie aside, there wasn’t much about this movie that I didn’t enjoy; I thought that the conversations with Mr. Kavinsky were a bit awkward, Lara Jean and Peter’s search for “their song” came across as a bit cheesy, and I didn’t like the fact that Lara Jean and Peter’s relationship was rocky for the majority of this movie.
Overall, this was a super cute YA rom-com that is perfect for Valentine’s and Galentine’s day! This movie really focuses on staying true to oneself as well as the importance doing whatever you can to make things work out with people you love. This movie would be great for anyone who enjoys reading Julie Buxbaum, Sarah Dessen, and Jenny Han as well as anyone who enjoyed watching The Kissing Booth, The Sun Is Also a Star, and (of course) the previous two installments of the To All the Boys franchise (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You) and vice versa if you’re looking to find some new books and movies to watch!
I will graciously disagree I think that the movie is a cop out and it does not stay true to the original concept of the movie at all… The music is not great the Wardrobe is terrible thankfully the acting is fine.. The book is much better.