To All the Boys I've Loved Before 2: Pressures of Teenage Romance
In the sequel to Netflix's To All the Boys I've Loved Before, Lara Jean Covey and Peter Kavinsky are now dating. Lara is consumed with insecurities of never being a girlfriend before and not being girlfriend material which she repeatedly says throughout the entire film. She feels like she can never measure up to Peter's former girlfriend, Gen, and the fact that the two are still close friends makes Laura Jean feel even more insecure and frustrated. Another one of her letter recipients reappears in her life, John Ambrose, and she falls into a flirtation with him as they volunteer at old folks home together. John Ambrose is gentle while Peter is clumsy and rough. She is now put in the middle of these two opposite men that she has feelings for.
The film heavily relies on the classic love triangle plot that is featured in many teen romcoms. The film also relies heavily on pleasing the eye aesthetically instead of having an interesting narrative. It has an 80s/90s teen culture shown through Lara Jeans's love for these types of movies. Laura Jean doesn't have much character development from the last film other than that she is deeply emotional. She is never shown angry or does anything to challenge the audience with her actions. All her crushes are hot generic boys that remind people of that one guy that they know. She portrays herself as a victim or weak but has such a put-together life through her outfits to her ability to bake. It is not very realistic. She doesn't have a lot to offer but somehow attracts all the hot guys in her proximity.
Laura Jean has finally got the guy of her dreams but is struggling with how to live out this fantasy world she has always imagined. The new couple is in a honeymoon phase and has to navigate through all the serious and boring parts about being in a relationship. The film does succeed in depicting the state of young people not knowing what they want or wanting so many things. Lara Jean finds maturity in dealing with the conflict of Peter having a more romantic and sexual experience than she does. She becomes self-aware. In the end, her decision is based on what is more visually appealing to continue the story instead of from an intellectual standpoint.
Overall it is a nice sequel that heavily relies on nostalgia, cute boys and a visually pleasing aesthetic. The film is designed for a younger audience and helps the exploration of feeling insecure in teenage relationships and what happens when the fantasy is attained. I am not sure what is next for this franchise but it works for streaming and is quality content for young adults.