Aaaand it’s time to discuss the movie! I feel like the wait for the movie was so long, but now the wait is finally over, and I hope that all (or at least most) of us have had the chance/time to see it! I really enjoyed the film adaptation, and can’t wait to talk about it with all of you! For those of you who haven’t yet read the book or seen the movie, beware that there are spoilers for the book and the film beyond this point!
– About the Film –
Title: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
Type: Fiction
Genres: Drama, Romance
Release Date: August 17, 2018
Running Time: 99 minutes
Rating: TV-14
Directed by: Susan Johnson
Screenplay: Sofia Alvarez
Cinematography: Michael Fimognari
Edited by: Phillip J. Bartell
Starring: Lana Condor, Janel Parrish, Anna Cathcart, Noah Centineo, Israel Broussard, John Corbett
Distributed by: Netflix
Lara Jean Covey writes letters to all of her past loves, the letters are meant for her eyes only. Until one day when all the love letters are sent out to her previous loves. Her life is soon thrown into chaos when her foregoing loves confront her one by one.
– About the Book –
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
by Jenny Han
Type: Fiction
Genre: YA, Contemporary, Romance
Publisher: Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
Date published: April 15th, 2014
Source: Personal purchase.
What if all the crushes you ever had found out how you felt about them… all at once?
Sixteen-year-old Lara Jean Song keeps her love letters in a hatbox her mother gave her. They aren’t love letters that anyone else wrote for her; these are ones she’s written. One for every boy she’s ever loved—five in all. When she writes, she pours out her heart and soul and says all the things she would never say in real life, because her letters are for her eyes only. Until the day her secret letters are mailed, and suddenly, Lara Jean’s love life goes from imaginary to out of control.
– Netflix Film Adaptation Discussion Questions –
Those of you who have not yet read To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han, or seen the film adaptation, and still intend to read and/or watch them, don’t read beyond this point (including the comments), because there will be spoilers! You have been warned. But, if you like spoilers … be my guest!
It’s not mandatory that you answer these questions! This is not school, haha. The questions are mainly meant to generate conversations in case some of our readalongers are having a hard time picking something to talk about. Also, feel free to mention and discuss anything which I may not have thought of in the questions below! Please be sure to avoid posting spoilers about P.S. I Still Love You, the next book in this series. Also! if you do decide to answer the questions in the comments, please number your answers to correspond with the questions. It just makes it easier and less confusing for everyone (including myself) too keep track of things! Thank yoooouuuuu!
– The Questions –
- What did you think of the differences between the film adaptation of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and the book?
- What is your favourite scene in the movie, or change that they made specifically for the film?
- Did you prefer the movie or the book? Or did you like both equally?
- Do you think that they’ll make movie adaptations of the next two books too?
- Are you happy that they turned the book into a movie? Or would you have preferred it being a TV show so that there would be more content for you to watch?
– My Answers –
- I expected there to be differences (I mean … there always are)! And I did like the scenes that they added. Buuuut I was a little bit upset that they skipped Halloween, because that was one of my favourite parts in the book! They also didn’t include the puppy and the time Lara Jean and Peter went to the estate sale (as well as other Lara Jean and Peter scenes)!
- I think my favourite thing was that Josh didn’t kiss Lara Jean. But I also liked that Margot was more understanding of Lara Jean’s situation in the movie than she was in the book, and I like that they added a bit to the ending. The ending was not only more satisfying, but it also makes it possible for the movie to be a standalone if they don’t plan on adapting the other books in the series.
- I liked both equally for different reasons!
- I have no idea, but I hope that they adapt the other books, because I really liked seeing all of the characters come to life on my TV!
- I love the movie, and have seen it twice already (I’ll likely watch it a 3rd time this week) … buuuut now that I think about it, I do wish that there was more content for me to watch. Yes, they used their budget in a very effective way to make this movie (I mean, the casting and cinematography is just wow), but I wouldn’t have minded more hours that I could spend with Lara Jean and Peter (without having to rewatch the movie over and over and over, hahaha)!
– Readalong Schedule –
| Discussion Date | Section | Discussion Location |
|---|---|---|
| July 23, 2018 | Start reading! | N/A |
| August 1, 2018 | Chapters 1-24 | Here! |
| August 8, 2018 | Chapter 25-49 | Here! |
| August 15, 2018 | Chapter 50-72 | Here! |
| August 22, 2018 | Netflix Movie Discussion | This post! |
1) i really loved the movie. i think that they were able to add a lot of stuff into a short movie. they missed a lot of stuff including the things you mentioned, because i would’ve really loved to see them done on-screen (especially the low-key racism of everyone thinking lara jean is dresses as an anime character i thought that would’ve been an important topic to touch on)
2) afhgsksdh idk!! there were some really good scenes! i wish lara jean and peter’s relationship was delved into more than it was (ie: the scenes i wish they included) but i understand that they had a time limit so i’m not too disappointed by that. i loved their kissing scene at the resort, i thought it was really sweet, though it made me think that they did have sex even though they didn’t. i LOVED seeing jenny han in the movie as an extra!
3) i like them both for different reasons. the movie is great on it’s own but the book has so much in it that i missed from the movie so i will always have to pick the book.
4) i don’t know, tbh! but a lot of people seem to be giving the movie a lot of love and support which is AMAZING, so it’s definitely a possibility. i haven’t read the rest of the books so idk if they’re movie-worthy but it would be great to see another movie. i think the actors would be more comfortable in their roles if they were to do it again for as second time.
5) it would have been an amazing tv show!! but it was also a great movie, so idk. i always prefer tv shows when they have a big enough budget, good actors, and don’t add unnecessary stuff. like with 13 reasons why, although it’s problematic and they changed a lot of things from the book (from what i’ve heard) i think the format of a tv show worked out nicely.
1. I wished the movie was longer, with more PeterxLaraxJean Kitty moments. Their interactions in the book were adorable, and I liked it.
2. I agree with you that Josh not kissing Lara Jean was the right decision for the movie. But, more than that I like the reason behind Kitty sending out the letters. It was less malicious and more from a place of love.
3. I liked both the book and the movie equally. They were cute and pure and gaaaah! I think I found a new favorite teen romance movie.
4. I certainly hope so, and the reception seems to have been good, so if they’re smart then they would.
5. I honestly expected it to be a tv show, but because I like the way that they did it, then I’m fine with it being a movie.
Also, how many times is too many to rewatch a movie? Cuz…
I do have to say that I missed Halloween and the puppy too. I also missed Peter trying to bake with Lara Jean, and the more in depth explanation to why mom told Margot not to go to college with a bf. But I expected changes and I don’t think the changes they made were bad.
I LOVED when Lara Jean and her dad were sitting in the diner talking about her mom and he mentions that her mom loved to play one of my all time favorite songs and dance in the aisles. That spoke to my heart so much and made me love her mom even more.
I think I might prefer the movie a hair over the book but I could never give up the book or love it any less.
I’m curious if they will make the next two movies. Now that I have gotten in to book 2 I noticed a few things from that book that they snuck in to the movie, so I’m hoping they didn’t feel like they made it a one shot movie.
I don’t know that there could have been enough to make it in to a show, but maybe the movie could have been a little longer.
I have now watched it 3 times. OMG! I love it and I LOVE Peter!! And Lara Jean is so freaking adorable!
I’m upset that they skipped Halloween and estate sale too!! Ahh I wish I read it sooner so I could participate in this readathon. I read the book the same day the movie was released, finished it in half a day, and watch the movie immediately!! So here’s my thought!
1. What did you think of the differences between the film adaptation of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and the book?
Lara Jean herself!! This might be an unpopular opinion. Book Lara is a little bit awkward sure, but I love that she sometimes get comfortable when Peter around. They banter about anything all the time, like “don’t look at me like that Peter, that look doesn’t work on me, I’m immune” or something like that. But the movie Lara is, gaaah she’s super awkward and she seems not comfortable with Peter. And I actually love how book Lara still have a little bit of feeling toward Josh and GRADUALLY fell for Peter, the movie didn’t have that, movie Lara seems to completely over Josh and completely in love with Peter from the start?
2. What is your favourite scene in the movie, or change that they made specifically for the film?
My fav scene in the movie is hands down the bath tub, and Josh not being a jerk by kissing Lara!!
3. Did you prefer the movie or the book? Or did you like both equally?
100000% prefer the book. I guess I’m the minority who didn’t like the movie!
4. Do you think that they’ll make movie adaptations of the next two books too?
I think so, because there are so many fans who like it!!
5. Are you happy that they turned the book into a movie? Or would you have preferred it being a TV show so that there would be more content for you to watch
I think I prefer the TV show, I totally need all the Lara-Peter moments from the book. I think I’m gonna like it more if it’s TV series.
I thought I answered this when you posted it, but I typed in my answers and never submitted them haha
1. I was disappointed that they left certain scenes out (like the one at the estate sale) but I understand that they have to cut things out to make everything fit into a certain timeframe. The main difference for me between the book and the movie was the characters. I liked Lara Jean more in the movie and I LOVED Peter in the movie.
2. My favorite scenes in the movie were the hot tub scene and the ending scene on the lacrosse field. They both melted my heart!
3. I loved both equally for different reasons. I liked all of the details and scenes that were included in the book, but I liked the characters and the relationship between Lara Jean and Peter better in the movie.
4. I’m not sure if they’ll make movie adaptations of the next two books but I hope they do! Considering all of the attention it got on social media, I think it’s a possibility.
5. I’m happy they turned it into a movie. Although I would get more content if it was a TV show, they usually make a lot more changes when they make a TV show and add a lot of extra drama. I was so happy with the way things turned out between Lara Jean and Peter in the movie, so I’m glad things weren’t overcomplicated like they may have been in a TV show.
Such a cute and clever review Flavia!