double feature of teen rom-coms

[rose_griffes]

I didn't actually watch the movies back-to-back. In fact, it took two sittings per movie for me to finish them. Anyway, here are a few thoughts on two Netflix original films, both adapted from books:

To All the Boys I've Loved Before - I tried the book and couldn't finish it. A movie is much better for this story, which is a straightforward rom-com with misunderstandings, pretending to be dating, a mean ex-girlfriend... I enjoyed it, but this was in large part thanks to the lovely chemistry between the leading woman and her soon-to-be-actual boyfriend. Also, the family life moments were very endearing.

This movie's biggest plus: definitely the two leads. Strong actors, very charming together.

Dumplin', like TAtBILB, has a contemporary setting, but the feel of it is older. Teenagers who actually call each other on their cell phones instead of texting? A small town beauty pageant? Dolly Parton as inspiration for the leading woman? This isn't necessarily a flaw, just an observation. Dumplin' doesn't really go for the drama of how the girl will win over the boy. Instead, the boy is super interested in the girl, but the girl has to go on her own journey before she's willing to consider taking that leap of faith into a relationship.

That's probably why I'd rewatch Dumplin' over the other film, by the way: a satisfying emotional journey for a fat teenage girl, who fights with and makes up with her best friend, and who acquires two more friends, and who learns to appreciate her hard-working mother even if she doesn't end up wanting the same kind of things? Yeah, nice. The boy was secondary to the rest, which was refreshing.

(The 'boy' in Dumplin' does NOT pass for a high school student, even though that's what he's supposed to be. Not a fatal flaw, just an annoyance. In the HUGE PLUS column: Dolly Parton actually wrote new songs for this movie, and reworked some older ones! I love her.)

So there ya go. Have fun watching some rom-coms!

Comments

[elperian]

I enjoyed both of these movies, but I haven't read the TATBILB book and don't plan to - your review reflects what I've heard from others! Also, I didn't know Dolly Parton wrote a new song for the movie, that's awesome!

(It's true that both of the movies feel ~older with their 80s references and pageants and Dolly Parton music, but I still like that about them. I'm ready for a teen movie to reference 10 Things I Hate About You as a classic though.)

[rose_griffes]

Ooh, it's been long enough since I watched that I'd forgotten that TaBILB had an 80s feel to it. So yeah: both films have a slightly dated / older feel to them in spite of their modern setting. Interesting.

(Thank goodness they both avoided a lot of the sexism and racism that those "classic" 80s teen rom-coms were saturated in. It wasn't just John Hughes, either.)

[tinny]

Ah, thank you! I have seen tumblr gifs and icons around, but never actually bothered to find out what those are about.

I might watch them when I get a craving for romcoms (as one does :)).

[rose_griffes]

They're both solid stories! So I'd recommend either one, when you get that yearning for a sappy crew of faux teenagers!