Movie Review: “To All the Boys: Always and Forever”

The Netflix trilogy “To All the Boys” has reached its charming end with “To All the Boys: Always and Forever.” The film opens on Laura Jean Covey and Peter Kavinky’s senior year of high school and follows the couple as they navigate changes in their post-high school plans: Peter will be going to Stanford and Laura Jean plans to join him – if only she can get accepted. 

By this third installment, Lana Condor and Noah Centineo are familiar faces as Laura Jean and Peter, respectively, but it was nice to revisit their cute love story. As always, while watching Condor and Centineo, it’s extremely easy to believe that they are just two high schoolers in love, trying to navigate the changes that come with that. Their performances are backed by more familiar faces for fans of the trilogy: Janel Parrish returns as Margot; Anna Cathcart as Kitty; Ross Butler as Trevor; Madeleine Arthur as Chris; and John Corbett as Dr. Covey. While the main focus is always Condor and Centineo, the rest of the cast backs up their love story with understanding love of their own.

The story is straightforward, if not a bit predictable. It’s not hard to guess what will happen when Laura Jean opens her Stanford portal to view her acceptance status. It’s even easier to remind yourself through the angst that they’re going to be together in the end… because it’s a romance – a teen romance at that. It was nice to follow Laura Jean and Peter as they grew up a little bit and especially as Laura Jean found herself and fought for what was right for her. 

As far as a romance goes, “To All the Boys: Always and Forever” ticks all of the boxes. Almost too cute? Check. A little cringey at times? Check. A loveable couple with lovable sidekicks? Check. A happy ending after an angsty situation? Check. The film is simple but cute, especially if you’re already invested in Laura Jean and Peter’s relationship like I was. As far as the trilogy goes as a whole, the first film, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” is arguably the best. But this one wasn’t bad either. Their love story needed a conclusion, and I’m glad that it was this. 

Overall, the film was an easy watch and a good way to let yourself relax for a couple of hours. If you’re already a fan of the trilogy it’s worth the watch. If you’re not, definitely watch the first one. Even though you could probably get away with skipping straight to this one, you wouldn’t get all of the references to the earlier films, which was a fun part of watching. No matter what your previous acquaintance is with Laura Jean and Peter, this movie was a lovable one.