Fridays are for romantic comedies and it’s not just Friday, it’s Valentine’s Day. Suffices to say the release of “To All the Boys 2: P.S I Still Love You” was appropriately time. However, this romcom might not be the movie to Netflix and chill to because it leaves much to be desired.
“To All the Boys: P.S I Still Love You,” is based on the second book of Jenny Han trilogy of the same title. It tells the story of Lara Jean (Lana Condor) and Peter (Noah Centineo) now a couple. They are perhaps the hottest couple at school as Peter was the most sought after boy.
Peter takes Lara Jean on her first date. They also have their first Valentine’s Day amongst other firsts. To Peter, all is well but Lara Jean is insecure. She continues to walk in Peter’s a ex-girlfriend’s (Gen – Emilija Baranac) shadow. Then the unexpected happens. The last of the five boys she sent love letters to, John Ambrose McClaren (Jordan Fisher) replies.
As part of her school’s volunteering programme, Lara Jean volunteers at the Belleview Retirement Home where her older sister Margot (Janel Parrish) also volunteered. There she met Stormy – played by Holland Taylor – who Margot talked about much. She also runs into John Ambrose and becomes conflicted.
Condor and Centineo undoubtedly capture the passion between two young lovebirds. It’s palpable in the aquarium scene and more so in the concluding scene. Sadly, this film is not as enjoyable as “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” But for the fact that it is based on Han’s book series, one could easily question the necessity of this sequel. Thanks to that gorgeous dress and when Peter appeared after the snow, “To All the Boys 2” almost lost the magic.
Fans however get a sneak peak into what might lie ahead for Dr Covey (John Corbett) – Lara Jean’s dad – in the concluding story “To All the Boys: Always and Forever.”
Nonetheless, credit must be given to whom it is due. Firstly, the unnecessary torture Peter went through just made him much more adorable and lovable in this film. Still, the cast member who absolutely stole our hearts is Stormy. Taylor takes a lot of credit for enlivening what could easily have become a forgettable movie.
