Lara Jean love story

Netflix movie To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (TATBILB) is a Rom-Com that everyone is falling for. Jenny Han a New York Times Bestseller transcended her book into one of the most popular films featured on Netflix. Not only is there one book but there are two more books that complete the story. Alongside a total of three books, TATBILB, is based on a true story. This story follows the main character Lara Jean, a quiet high school teen, who wrote five letters to the boys she had overwhelming crushes. However, she never intended on those letters getting out. Out of the blue, Lara Jean’s dearest letters were guided to the five schoolboys she had adored and that’s how those stories came to life. To demonstrate the complexities of structure in the movie, I will use three digital modes: a movie based on a book, YouTube clips from actors, author, how people view the movie, and the visual outcome.

​            It is often frustrating when a film leaves out ideas and events that happened in the book. TATBILB is no exception. Youtuber The Things (is a weird name for a channel) explains ten main differences between the book and movie we’ve never knew about. For instance, one-character Genevieve (Gene) is the main antagonist in both the book and the movie. In the novel, Gene tells Lara Jean she knows Peter had done more than canoodling in the hot tub with her, but in the film, Peter had spent the night in Gene room after he made out with Lara Jean. The truth in the movie was that Peter went to Genevieve's room to officially end things and wanted a real relationship. (The Things, “Differences Between TATBILB Movie and Book”). The Youtuber continues his exploration in detailing the differences by including that some ideas from the book were altered to fit the film explaining the other differences. For example, in the film, it was Lara Jean's idea to put Peter's hand in her pockets, but in the book, it was Peter's ideas. In an article from Alyssa Wilson says “Despite its predictable ending, there are hints that we may be expecting a sequel. If that's the case, I am more than ready for it” (1). Wilson’s predictions are verifiable, due to the ending of the film taking place originally in the second novel.

​            Successful Rom-Com film TATBILB actor, Noah Centineo who plays Peter Kavinsky was recently in an interview with Entertainment Tonight, hosted by Katie Krause. In his interview, he states that the first film was an independent film and Netflix was not involved. Centineo continues by stating that members of TATBILB were shooting because they liked the script. (“Noah Centineo “TATBILB” | Full interview”). Furthermore, Centineo enlightens the viewer with his lifestyle, eating habits, and even goes on explaining the second book TATBILB P.S. I still love You. Before, TATBILB started filming one producer told Jenny Han the author if the actress can portray the character spirit, race and age do not apply. (Bethonie Butler. “Netflix ‘TATBILB:’ Everything you need to know about the latest rom-com hit”). Han disagreed and decided to go work with producers that could produce the film she imagines and would agree that the main character has to be an Asian actress. In a YouTube video featuring “well known” critic Dylan Matthews, he captures scenes in the film and expresses how his opinions about it. In the twenty-seven-minute video Dylan at first, disliked Peter, but as he continues watching he had slowly fallen for him. Dylan said, “this could have been way better executed than how it was revealed kind of weak”. (20:10- 20:25) He explains how the scene jumps from one scene to another. For example, the ski trip only lasted about five minutes and jumps right back to the school where the drama between Lara Jean and Peter falling out. (Dylan Is In Trouble. “Watching “TATBILB”)

​            TATBILB visual outcome came from other movies. Stated above TATBILB fake relationship contract, Lara Jean loves the film Sixteen Candles by John Hugh which references a scene that Peter having his hand in Lara Jean's pocket. Each author writes a different type of book relating to the social and mental young adults endure during their teen years, considering that Jonathan Bernstein whom Anthony Bleach claims say, teen movies were created to show audience in facing those who pursuing, voyeurism, and seduction” (25-26). However, in TATBILB, the concept of what the movie is attempting to portray is in fact, entirely, different from the norms of girls in teen movies. Anthony Bleach additionally, states that according to Bernstein, Hugh’s films are different, because both authors are different in gender and social classes. 

​            Alongside Centino’s usage of improvisation of scenes like the hand in Lara Jeans pocket, in references to Sixteen Candles, and moving a popcorn bowl during the prominent pillow fight, but as well as its adorable unplanned usage of props. For example, while napping in-between takes onset both actors, Noah Centineo and Lana Condor; were caught cuddling on the couch by director Susan Johnson. Susan Johnson decided to not only take a photo but actually used it in the film. This adorable well-known photo was not part of the movie script but was featured in the film, anyway, gaining much applause from audiences and fans. There is no shame in having multiple love life. It is important to express your feeling toward one another, but not to the point you write it down. This tells us that falling in love is normal and that expressing yourself to them can lead to something.

​​            To conclude, to demonstrate the complexities of structure in the movie, I will use three digital modes: a movie based on a book, YouTube clips from actors, author, how people view the movie, and the visual outcome. TATBILBfollows Lara Jean writing love letters which ended up being sent to them. New York Times Bestseller Jenny Han has sworn millions of people falling in love with the rom-com movie TATBILB.