15 most memorable and overlooked films of 2018

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before

My family has Netflix, but with the sheer amount of theatrical content I’m keeping up with, I don’t gravitate towards Netflix unless there’s a pressing need. And as far as Netflix’s original movies…well, not everything’s a winner. But after hearing from several people about how delightful this rom-com is — with many considering it a return to the late ‘90s teen comedies of old — I had to give it a watch, and I’ve been in love with it ever since.

Based on Jenny Han’s novel, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is drawn on the ‘80s movie premise of miscommunication and mistaken identities. Lara Jean (Lana Condor) is a high school senior who has kept a series of unsent love letters written to all the boys she’s loved, but who have never been told. When they’re accidentally sent, including one to her older sister’s ex-boyfriend, Lara Jean ends up faking a romance with the popular Peter (Noah Centineo).

I know everyone is losing their minds over Centineo, but I’m all about Condor’s performance as Lara Jean and Sofia Alvarez’s script. Condor is bubbly and relatable with excellent comedic timing. She’s complemented by Alvarez’s words, which never look down on the teen audience for enjoying the fairy tale premise, nor does it feel like adults are trying to emulate how kids talk.

It’s a breath of fresh air for the romantic comedy genre.