‘To All the Boys’: A romantic tale about first timers

CAIRO – 17 February 2020: "TO All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You" movie was released globally on Netflix on February 12, 2020, on the occasion of Valentine’s Day.

The romantic movie is directed by Michael Fimognari and stars Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Jordan Fisher, Anna Cathcart, Janel Parrish, John Corbett, Sarayu Blue, Ross Butler, Madeleine Arthur, Emilija Baranc, Trezzo Mahoro and Holland Taylor.

"To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You" is based on the New York Times best-selling YA romance novel, "P.S. I Still Love You" by Jenny Han.

It’s a new year and Lara Jean (Lana Condor) and Peter (Noah Centineo) are no longer pretending to be a couple as they were in part one they ARE a couple.

As Lara Jean navigates a trove of official first love with Peter she finds herself leaning more on Kitty and Margot (Anna Cathcart and Janel Parrish), Chris (Madeleine Arthur), and an unexpected new confidant, Stormy (Holland Taylor), to help her manage the complex emotions that come with this new chapter of balancing a relationship and figuring out her authentic self.

"TO All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You" managed to make that difficult equation, having an emotional romantic movie that is very close to a fairy tale, while preserving the realistic line through conveying the sentiments and disputes that occur in the first love experience.

"TO All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You" is a very simple and soft romantic movie; the geniality of the film lies in its simplicity. The movie smoothly navigates the trove of official firsts: First real kiss, first real date, first Valentine’s Day, first eyes' shine, first love anxiety and even the first tears of the first break up.

Lara Jean's conversations with herself were full of clear and important love messages that were indirectly sent to us as audience, revealing many things about first love and reminding us of what we know and forget about love.

"People say fairy tales are real but sometimes happily ever after is very real," Lara Jean said that to herself before she went on her first date with Peter. The shine in her eyes along with the expressive sound track established in our hearts these dazzling newly born feelings mixed with the excitement and enthusiasm that usually come with the first date.

"This is my first date. I have never been a girlfriend before. I hope I am good at that," Lara Jean said to Peter who just understood her anxiety without uttering a word.

It is worth mentioning that the soundtrack of the movie played an important role in bringing the romance of the scenes to life.

The movie presents another love line between Lara Jean’s father and their neighbor, which wasn’t highlighted but added an additional touch of romance.

The events made us feel that love was in the air until Lara Jean's life was turned upside down when John Ambrose (Jordan Fisher), another recipient of one of Lara Jean’s old love letters, enters her life and sends her a reply.

At that moment she discovered that she must rely on herself more than ever as she’s confronted with her first real dilemma: Can a girl be in love with two boys at once?

Lana Condor brilliantly reflects the confusion of the in experienced girl when she finds herself unable to translate her feelings. To make matters worse, Lara Jean finds out she can’t get over Peter’s previous love relationship with Jane.

Lana Condor transferred to us the feeling of unsecured she had about Peter’s past relationship with Jane, because for every first she was having with him he already had his with her. So when her friend told her that Peter had met his ex-girlfriend, she got jealous and decided to break up.

All this mess was meant to remind us and teach Lara Jean that love is not only about glamorous and dazzling moments; it has its hardships, tears and heartaches.

But the crazy thing about love is that all of a sudden, like magic, everything becomes great again. With the first kiss with John Ambrose after the breakup, she discovered that Peter is her true love, and as her new confidant, Stormy said "You have to kiss the wrong person to know the right one."

The director did a great job casting the actors especially the three main characters: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo and Jordan Fisher, who made us believe they are teens, although they are in their 20s.

The script was simple, and to the point; the actors' performance was the reason it felt relatable.

If you want to watch a simple, romantic and soft movie that teaches you a lot of facts about first love, then "TO All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You" is the movie for you.

Netflix from its side made a surprise to all the fans of this romantic sequel, ''To All The Boys: I’ve Loved Before'' is now available on Netflix for everybody in the Middle East to watch through March 9.