To All the Boys: Always and Forever – A Heartfelt Conclusion to the Popular Trilogy | By Ashley Tan Jeyin
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| Source: Hindustan Times. |
“Life is beautiful, and messy, and never goes according to plan.”
To All the Boys: Always and Forever is the third and final movie of the well-known Netflix rom-com trilogy, starring Lana Condor and Noah Centineo. The first movie, released in 2018, was an overnight success which led to its sequel, To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You in 2020. In February 2021, the third movie came out, providing a bittersweet conclusion to this well-loved film series.
The movie kicks off in Seoul, where we are once again introduced to the Covey family. During this trip, we are shown a fun, cinematic montage of their travels. One of the iconic symbols was the Namsan Seoul Tower, a place for couples to scribble their love on padlocks and attach them to the walls.
Not long after, the Coveys return home, and Peter and Lara Jean are reunited. They are currently in their senior year of highschool and made a pact to go to Stanford University together. The movie is a collection of events throughout senior year, such as prom and a trip to New York City, while it explores the uncertainties of Lara Jean’s and Peter’s relationship.
In New York, Lara Jean falls head over heels for the city in its entirety. This was a turning point, as her heart, once so set on attending Stanford, was now pulled in a different direction. Throughout the movie, we watch her contemplate her future as she is torn over whether to attend a university close to Peter, or live her dream at the risk of losing him forever.
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| Source: NBC News. |
To me, the overall concept of the movie was about first love, and it felt genuine. The dates, romantic gestures and mature conversations display the ecstatic feeling of being in love with someone. Yet, there are also disagreements and communication issues that accurately reflect the downfall of many relationships. In addition, it showed how a healthy relationship, though great to have, may also hold one back from going on their own journey of self-growth.
If there was one takeaway from the movie, it would be that change is inevitable. Fear of the unknown is a very normal fear that many of us share. Even if we do everything in our power to ensure that things turn out the way we want them to, sometimes things happen that upend our entire life. Initially, Lara Jean had a clear-cut plan of college life after graduation, but it wasn’t long before her plans fell apart. This is relatable for me as I, like Lara Jean, am a person who’s constantly worried about the future.
In spite of the many good things this movie offers, there is one thing that I disagree with. Here, NYU is portrayed as a suitor—like the John Ambrose of this movie—as Lara Jean is forced to pick between the university and Peter. Lara Jean could envision herself living in New York City, which inherently meant that she wanted to attend NYU. The movie indirectly tells 17-year-olds that this is an appropriate way to think about university as it showcases the school for its aesthetics as opposed to an education institution.
All in all, To All the Boys: Always and Forever is an enjoyable movie to watch due to its quirkiness, likeable characters and engaging dialogue. Not to mention, it has an awesome soundtrack. Despite the cliche theme of ‘love conquers all’, it is still pleasing to watch as it provides escapism. Last but not least, the movie shows significant character growth and ultimately leaves viewers with the nostalgia of being in high school again.
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