“To all the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You” delivers a charming depiction of the typical high school love story

Mia Cho

Opinion Editor 

The highly anticipated sequel of “To all the Boys I’ve Loved Before”, “To all the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You” brings author Jenny Han’s New York Times bestseller to life, providing viewers with a heartwarming ending to the original film. 

“To all the Boys: PS I Still Love You” epitomizes the quintessential high school love story including the stereotypical drama that surrounds such relationships. With intricate conflict that tests the loyalty that grows between the characters, director Michael Fimognari takes the viewer through the nostalgia of high school relationships. 

Based on Han’s To all The Boys young adult fiction series, the film highlights key elements of the novels to preserve the original themes Han emphasized. The film especially accentuates the relationship between the Lara Jean and her sisters, played by Lana Condor, Anna Cathcart, and Janel Parrish respectively. The sisterly bond provides a great depiction for younger viewers, to understand that family is important. 

Fimognari highlights the conflict created between characters John Ambrose McClaren and Peter Kavinsky, which is a result of McClaren pursuing Lara Jean while she is in a relationship with Peter. Creating the archetypal tension between two men both interested in a woman, the film depicts the selfish aspects that often accompanies innocent young love in an honest way. 

Following the unprecedented success of “To all the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” “To all the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You” delivers to the expectation of viewers, successfully giving the heartwarming love story a wholesome ending. 

Although the plot of the story may be seen as predictable to some viewers, the multidimensional aspect of the storyline provides a new approach to the typical high school love story compared to its counterparts also produced by Netflix. 

The film is also enjoyable for viewers who have not seen the prequel or read the Han’s novels. The setting created throughout the film helps new viewers understand the storyline, while simultaneously delivering a satisfying ending to the first film. 

“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before: P.S. I Still Love You” creates the perfect balance of the typical teenage love story with unexpected twists that allows the film to be nostalgic for adults, and relatable to young adults. 

Released on February 12, 2020, the film is available to stream on Netflix.