The original Netflix movie To All the Boys I Ever Loved was a heartfelt love story that connected to a wide audience and instantly catapulted the actors into the public eye. Fans loved Lara Jean and her family. In the original movie, not only do fans see Lara Jean and Peter fall for each other, but also viewers get to see Lara Jean come out of her shell. At the end of the original film, Lara Jean and Peter decide to make their "fake" relationship, real, and they both confess their feelings.
In 2020, the sequel - To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You - finally came out. What did it do well? In what ways was the original a stronger story, and how was the sequel stronger? Find out in our comparison!
10 THE ORIGINAL: Cohesive Story & Narrative Arc
The original film is very focused on Lara Jean and her narrative arc. The events are mainly chronological, except for the flashbacks which work in such a way to complement, not cloud, the story. Lara Jean is pushed to take risks, and by taking risks, her story moves forward. She gradually comes more out of her shell with Peter.
What's important to note is that Peter doesn't make-over Lara Jean, a common trope in Young Adult (YA) romance films, but rather, he just gives her the opportunity to share the amazing person she is with others.
9 THE SEQUEL: Gen & Lara Jean Storyline
Back in the original, Gen told Lara Jean that Gen, Lara Jean, and Peter aren't exactly how they show themselves to be. Gen said that Peter isn't as confident as he seems; Lara Jean not as innocent as she projects, and Gen isn't as tough. Her statement foreshadowed the sequel as all these observations come to be. Gen is going through a hard time with her parents, which is why she's seeking out Peter since he went through a similar situation. When Lara Jean finds this out, it shows that Gen is also vulnerable.
In a way, Lara Jean mourns her friendship with Gen. The two were best friends when they were younger. In a telling moment, Gen shows Lara Jean that their friendship had been really important to her as well. Still, while the two won't ever really be friends again, they can acknowledge that they are still connected to each other; they still care about each other.
8 THE ORIGINAL: A Story of First Love
The original has a beautiful story of Lara Jean's first love. Lara Jean has often lived in a fantasy world of romance. When her little sister, Kitty, sends out the love letters Lara Jean has written over the years but never sent, Lara Jean has to confront her previous fantasies. One of those fantasies becomes a reality, and she falls in love. In a sense, she has to let go of her idea of romance in order to actually experience the real thing.
Peter's character is charming, and it is easy to see how Lara Jean falls in love with him. However, it isn't until the end that Lara Jean realizes that Peter has been writing her love letters (notes) all throughout their fake relationship. She realizes that he cares about her, too. The two have chemistry and connection, leaving the audience to root for them.
7 THE SEQUEL: The Aquarium Scene
The sequel features a beautiful and painful scene when Lara Jean and Peter are at the aquarium for a school visit. At this point, they have broken up, and both are clearly in pain about their break-up. While few words are spoken, the looks of anguish on the characters' faces does the work that words could not.
Additionally, the visuals are both beautiful and metaphorical. The ocean symbolizes the distance that now exists between the two of them, and yet, there is a longing to reach the shore together. They just aren't sure how to do it yet.
6 THE ORIGINAL: Humor
While the sequel has moments of humor, overall the original is more playful and humorous. Lara Jean isn't a graceful heroine and often fumbles. She does it in such a way that leads the viewers to laugh. Additionally, Lara Jean's friends are also humorous.
The original is deep, but much lighter in tone. This makes sense because it is about first love, primarily, while the sequel is more about multiple challenges experienced by Lara Jean and others.
5 THE SEQUEL: The Love Triangle
Peter and Lara Jean are a charismatic couple. Then John Ambrose enters the scene. In so many ways, it makes sense that Lara Jean and John Ambrose would make a more compatible couple. They both are slightly awkward, very intelligent, charming, and caring characters. They are the thinkers. Also, John Ambrose showed the viewer that Lara Jean was desired by others, not just Peter. John Ambrose had a crush on Lara Jean when they were kids, and he still has that crush.
We also get to see Peter's jealousy, and that he isn't as confident as he seems to be. He loves Lara Jean, but he feels threatened by John Ambrose. It's a successful love triangle, and it provides the tension that moves the movie forward.
4 THE ORIGINAL: Connection to Friends
While true that we see the history of the friendships in the sequel, we don't get to see Lara Jean interact with her friends as much. In the original, Lara Jean has a great friend in Chris. Since she is a true friend, Chris is able to be very honest with Lara Jean with the positive growth Chris noticed in Lara Jean after Lara Jean dated Peter. When things go sour, Chris stands up for Lara Jean, too.
In the original, there is also Lucas who becomes a true friend and confidante throughout the film. In the sequel, most of the friends take a backseat.
3 THE SEQUEL: The Rocky Road of Relationships
The sequel addresses the challenges that can happen in even the healthiest relationships. While Lara Jean and Peter love each other, they both have their own insecurities. Lara Jean still feels like she doesn't quite belong in Peter's world. Peter is worried that Lara Jean is withholding information from him (which she is) and could be tempted by their old friend, John Ambrose.
In the fake relationship, they had a contract, a common-ground. However, real relationships are messy. We see the mess in the sequel.
2 THE ORIGINAL: Family Influence & Connection
It's important that Peter isn't Lara Jean's whole world. Lara Jean is very attached to her family; they are a key part of her identity. Her sisters are her best friends. Her father is someone she admires and loves. Her deceased mother is important as well. It's almost as if that absence has been a presence. Her father tries to connect Lara Jean and her sisters to their mother through Korean food and culture.
However, he has not told them too many stories about their mother. When he tells Lara Jean a story, it's an intimate moment. She feels connected to her mother, and she is able to understand herself better through that connection.
1 THE SEQUEL: The Flaws of Lara Jean
Lara Jean is a great character; she is easy to like and root for. However, she is not without her flaws. In the original, one of her flaws was mentioned: she often lives in a fantasy, rather than connecting to reality. This continues and gets worse in the sequel. She wants the perfect romance with Peter, but the perfect romance isn't possible because there isn't a perfect romance. So, she starts to be tempted by another.
It's almost as if she likes the beginning of the story, the beginning of a romance when things are exciting, rather than the middle when things can get messy. Lara Jean keeps secrets, and she is jealous. Additionally, she isn't the best communicator. Her flaws endear the viewer more to her, and at the end of the sequel, she is willing to own up to some of them. It may seem like a small move, but it is a big move for Lara Jean.
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