Netflix has significantly contributed to the revival of the romantic comedy genre, which seemed to have faded away in the mid-1990s. In this digital age, we crave films that celebrate analog romance, where characters write heartfelt letters, hold hands, and choose “their” song for the school dance. The 2018 film “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” based on the novel by Jenny Han, was charming in its sincerity and simplicity. The straightforward plot relied on the chemistry and charisma of the lead actors, Lana Condor and Noah Centineo. Centineo, in particular, became the internet’s boyfriend almost overnight. Unsurprisingly, sequels followed: in 2020, Netflix released “To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You” for Valentine’s Day, and recently, the final installment, “To All the Boys: Always and Forever,” premiered.
Noah Centineo as Peter in “To All the Boys: Always and Forever”
A Familiar Dilemma
Lara Jean (Lana Condor) is spending her last days of high school, preparing for college. Her boyfriend, Peter Kavinsky (Noah Centineo), has already secured a lacrosse scholarship to Stanford. They’ve planned to attend the same school, knowing long-distance relationships are difficult. However, Lara doesn’t get into Stanford but is accepted to Berkeley, just an hour from Peter’s university. They decide to see each other every weekend and stay connected through social media.
Unfortunately, these plans also face challenges. On a trip to New York, Lara falls in love with the city and reconsiders her future. NYU accepts her into its writing program, forcing her to choose between her relationship and her ambitions.
Lana Condor as Lara Jean in “To All the Boys: Always and Forever”
Missed Opportunities
Michael Fimognari, the cinematographer of the first film, directed both sequels, despite limited directing experience. It’s unclear why Netflix entrusted him with this flagship franchise. The original film, directed by Susan Johnson, had good editing and nods to John Hughes’s high school comedies, fitting the 80s nostalgia trend. Fimognari abandoned this approach in the sequels without offering anything new.
A scene from “To All the Boys: Always and Forever”
Losing Touch with Reality
Inspired by Buzzfeed articles, the director focuses on the beloved couple, creating a safe world of fluff and endless dates. This attempt to please the audience backfires. “To All the Boys: Always and Forever” is so afraid of displeasing viewers that it loses touch with reality. The lack of original ideas and conflict makes the 110-minute runtime dull and cliché. Lara Jean’s college dilemma is resolved off-screen. Peter is always forgiving and supportive, leaving no doubt that the couple will stay together. Fimognari tries to create tension at the end, but it quickly dissipates.
Escapism Falls Short
In light of recent global events, “To All the Boys: Always and Forever” feels particularly artificial. It could have been a cozy escape, but it lacks depth and originality. In the world of rom-coms, it’s a simulation of reality, not its genuine representation.