Imagine being socially awkward and having about 5 crushes. Instead of speaking to these crushes, you write them love notes that you know for a fact no one will ever see, especially not them. But what happens when a twist of events takes place and all the letters are mailed to your crushes?
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before depicts the story of Lara Jean’s crushes reading the love notes she wrote to them. Fortunately, things take a turn in her favor and she ends up with her true love. We spoke with some of the cast and creatives on the red carpet for the LA premiere. Check out our interviews below:
How was this movie different from the others you’ve worked on?
I just think this movie has sweetness and a heart to it. I think fans are going to be able to recognize themselves in somebody in the film.
How was it working with this cast?
Fantastic, I loved everybody in the movie. I probably wouldn’t say if I didn’t but I really did. I think you can feel it in the movie. I really love them all.
Was it easy for you guys (cast) to connect on set?
Yes, I think that is part of the reason that it worked so well. We had a good time making the movie.
Emilija Baranac
Describe to me your character in the film?
Genevieve is your mean girl, popular girl that you don’t want to get crossed in her path. She comes from a place of insecurity and there is a lot of stuff that has happened. I can totally relate to that. Unfortunately, she’s just maybe not as mature as other people so it comes out in a mean way. But she is who she is and she’s just trying to get through life like the rest of us.
How was it working with the director?
Susan was so lovely to work with. It was so nice to be working with a strong female director, who knows what she wants. It was so easy to work with her, I knew exactly what she wanted and the communication was there.
What was your favorite scene out of the film?
My favorite scene, we had a party scene and that was a lot of fun. It was actually on the day of my birthday, which was really nice because Lana, Madeleine, and Anna brought out cupcakes for me. It was just a nice little surprise so that was a fun thing.
Jenny Han
When you wrote this book did you imagine it becoming a film?
I think that it’s fairly difficult to get a movie made and I think the fact that the lead was Asian American was another challenge to that process. I was hopeful always but I don’t know if I ever thought that it was definitely going to happen or not. That’s why it’s so surreal to be here now and it actually is happening.
Does the cast portray what you had in mind as far as the film?
I think they all do an amazing job of bringing the characters to life. They’re all so talented and kind hearted. For me it was a great experience for my first movie, to have such a lovely cast.
How was it working on your first movie?
It was really surreal. Being on a movie set and seeing how much goes into making a movie. All that was just crazy.
What do you have coming up next?
After this I’m working on my next novel.
Dougie Cash
How was it working with the director?
Susan is great; I think right now there’s such a powerful movement in Hollywood for women. Women coming to the forefront and getting the recognition that they deserve. It was fantastic. I love Susan.
How was it working with the cast?
I love the cast. I’m a fan of all of them. I think that the book was special for a reason. I always say whenever you’re putting a movie together one of the difficult things is finding a cast that can sort of portray these characters and I think we were extremely lucky. I think Tamara-Lee did a great job and everybody will love it.
Tell me about your favorite scene
I don’t want to give the movie away. I think when Kitty mails the letters out and everyone sort of starts to confront Lara Jean.
Out of all the characters which one did you relate to the most?
That’s tough. I can’t give that away. That’s a difficult question because I’m not shy. I’m going to say Peter because I like to troll a lot. I like to pull pranks on people and I like that he sort of had this idea, why don’t we make people believe something that’s not true. I think that was fantastic.
What can viewers expect from you in the future?
We have the Hitch television show; I’m a romantic comedy enthusiast so we have the Hitch TV show coming. I’m a producer on Cobra Kai; we’re on season 2. We have 12 O’clock Boys documentary, that’s a documentary we’re adapting to a film. We have Meek mill doing it. It’s for the culture. We have a lot of things on the way at Overbrook.
Noah Centineo
Can you describe your character in the film?
Peter Kavinsky is a jock. He’s definitely that archetype in high school. He’s dating what’s in terms to be the odd, really mean girl in school … But when you get to know him more you find out that the reason he has such a hard shell is because of his upbringing and what was going on with his parents. It’s really just deflecting and his defense mechanism but he’s truly a really good and nurturing guy.
How was it working with the Susan?
Susan Johnson are you kidding me? It was incredible, she’s lovely to work with one, just on a human level we really connected and we are friends and that’s lovely. On a professional level, she’s such a visionary, she sees and knows exactly what she wants and she’s able to satisfy every one who’s on set.
What was your favorite scene?
I like the scene in the kitchen, Lara Jean’s kitchen and we’re talking and peeling back the layers of ourselves and we’re just opening up to each other.
The film is now streaming on Netflix.
-Rian Castille