To All The Boys 3 review: Subtly delightful

Rating: 2.5/5

The third in the trilogy, To All The Boys: Always and Forever rolls on a typical high-school romance plot which might appease the ones earnestly in love.

Story

‘To All The Boys’ is a three-part trilogy based on novels under the same title by Jenny Han. The third instalment of the movie franchise takes the audience further on Lara Jean’s (Lana Condor) and Peter Kavinsky’s (Noah Centineo) love journey as they reach the edge of their high school final year.

The movie begins with the lead couple dreaming about their future together which is only possible if they both get into Stanford University and avoid a long-distance relationship. Peter gets through admission via a lacrosse scholarship, while Lara Jean has to stick to the second-best option with Berkeley. 

The audience also knows that Peter has abandonment issues with his dad who is trying to get back to his son. Meanwhile, they all go for a senior trip to New York City where Lara Jean falls in love with NYU.

At first, she is sceptical, fearing NYU is 3000 miles away from Standford, which means Peter and her will have to get into a long-distance relationship. But she cannot resist her love for the university and decides to go there for her college.

She tells Peter, who to her surprise takes things well, but at the same time, Lara Jean’s insecurities kick in. On the prom night, Peter confronts Lara Jean and breaks up with her saying 3000 miles are anyway going to break them apart.

The rest of the plot focuses on repairing these various fractured relationships, guiding them to a hopefully fitting conclusion.

Performances

Lana Condor as Lara Jean, like the first two instalments, keeps up with her pleasant personality. Unlike, the second instalment she is the perfect girlfriend who plans movie-themed dates for her boyfriend.

At the same time, she duly steps into Lara’s shoes who is ready to embark on a new chapter in life and knows what’s best for her.

With his charm and soothing personality, Noah Centineo does complete justice to Peter Kavinksy’s character. He is the perfect boyfriend who respects, understands and listens to his girlfriend.

Centineo aces in impersonating a teenager with abandonment issues who fears the day Lara Jean, the love of his life will move away from him.

Anna Cathcart as Kitty, Lara Jean’s younger sister continuous to add quirk to the plot. She specialises in playing cupid for Kavinsky and Lara Jean. In this instalment of the movie, she embarks on her dating journey with a Korean guy whom she met on her vacation to Korea.

Positives

With its dreamy aesthetics and direction, the movie manages to keep the audience glued. The references to classic films and movie-themed dates, the narrative is a fairy-tale where love trumps all.

One thing which stands out just like a rainbow cupcake frosting is the impeccable chemistry between the lead actors.

The movie has some really wholesome moments which definitely makes one swoon over the blissful little world of Lara Jean and Peter Kavinsky.

It also features some perfect family scenes, exhibiting great parenting and sibling love-hate relationships.

Negatives

Nevertheless, the heart-warming execution of the movie isn’t refreshing when it comes to the storyline and the plot. The audience can predict its beginning, its middle, its end; much like the couple’s song.

There are moments which seemed overtly stretched, for example, Lara Jean takes good 20 minutes of run time to tell Peter that she didn’t make it to Stanford. This unrequired lag does not add anything to the storyline.

Much of the efforts were made to make the cinematography look aesthetically pleasing than making the storyline exclusive. Unlike the first two parts, the third instalment fails at building an impressive narrative.

Worth it?

To All The Boys: Always and Forever is a perfect teenage romance which might come out as unrealistic to some. The movie is filled with sugar-sweet moments which make the rough uncomfortable ones plausible. It is just like any other rom-com with it’s mushy and beautifully curated scenes, making it a subtly delightful watch.


Also Read: To All The Boys 3 ending explained: The climax

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