The Kissing Booth | Movie Review #9

Let's talk about one of my favorite romantic comedies on Netflix right now because it is getting a sequel on July 24!

The Kissing Booth.

I've been wanting to re-watch this movie for the longest time. The first time I watched it, I think I read the book first then watched the movie and my expectations went over the roof. It was that good.

*side-note* I always like to read the books before the movies because the books tend to be way better.

I will say the acting in the movie looks forced and awkward, but the storyline is amazing and definitely matches the book.

Just so you know, there will be spoilers in this review because this movie has been on Netflix since 2018. So, I am a late to the game. Whatever!

Elle Evans (Joey King) and Lee Flynn (Joel Courtney) were born on the same day at the same time in Los Angeles, California. They grew up together and have been best friends ever since. Basically Elle and Lee did everything together.

Elle and Lee have a set of rules for being best friends. Weird? But, I guess necessary when you have a hot brother. Can you guess what one of the rules are, made by Lee? If you guessed, don't fall in love with my brother. You'd be right.

But, Elle has the biggest crush on Lee's older brother, Noah Flynn. I have to say he is stupid hot. Even in the books. Which makes it hard to follow that rule. It would be hard for me too, if I was Elle.

My thing is, why have rules? Rules are meant to be broken. Certain rules. For love, you need to follow your heart. The heart wants what the heart wants.

Of course, Elle breaks one of the most important rules on the list and she falls in love with Noah Flynn. But, how can you not? A man that is always protecting you is pretty attractive in my book.

They have their first kiss at the kissing booth that they set up at the carnival to raise money for the school's dance club. It was super cute. Magical. Sparks were flying. And I mean that literally.

I loved Elle and Noah's relationship throughout the movie, but they had to keep sneaking around because she didn't want Lee to find out. So, they set some rules for their relationship.

If you were truly my best friend though, you would support who I love. According to Elle, Lee always lived in Noah's shadow because he was crazy popular. And I get that.

A romantic comedy wouldn't be a rom-com without a dramatic climax. So, in The Kissing Booth, Lee finds out about Elle's relationship with his older brother. He is not happy about it.

Lee says one of my favorite monologues in this movie.

"So much for rule number nine, huh? The only thing that I had that he didn't was you. And now he has that too."

You can see how hurt Lee is. And I guess you really can't blame him. However, like any best friend relationship, they don't stay mad at each other forever. Lee and Elle revive their friendship by dancing. Something that they've bonded over since they were little.

After making up with Lee, all Elle can think about was Noah. But, she went to prom with Lee and his girlfriend. At prom, Noah shows up an confesses his love to Elle. Such a cute scene! I think Elle was too afraid to admit her feelings to Noah at prom because she was scared what her best friend would think. So, she ran away. Classic.

Fast forward to Elle and Lee's birthday party. Elle was upset that Lee was keeping her from loving Noah. She finally had enough and needed to confront him.

"I love you. And I always, always want to be close to you. But, being my best friend doesn't give you the right to tell me who I can love...we made up our rules when we were six...I'm saying that I love Noah. And I want him. And I'm sorry if that hurts you. And I'm so sorry that I lied to you before. I was wrong. But I'd be lying to you again if I didn't tell you that I love him with every bit of my heart. And if you just can't accept that then maybe you can't be part of my life."

Of course, Lee just wants his best friend to be happy. So he respects her love for his brother and helps her find him. But, Lee had this all planned out because in the car Elle was with Noah.

Lee and Noah did the classic switch-a-roo. Turns out, Noah was at Elle's birthday party all along. Even watched her blow out the candles!

I love this relationship so much.

After making up with Noah, they spent every single second together until Noah had to get on a plane and go to Harvard. I hope they can make long-distance work! Long-distance is hard though.

Elle's life would never be the same after Noah. I think they were meant to be. As Elle said, there will always be a part of Noah with her and she will always love him.

And it's true! She will always have something of Noah's and that was his iconic motorcycle. At first, Elle was too afraid to ride on the back of it with him. But, as their relationship progressed, she became more carefree and confident.

When she left the airport, she was DRIVING off on his motorcycle, into the sunset. It's crazy that she had a totally different mindset at the beginning of the movie.

Will Noah and Elle make their relationship work? Or will they face challenges? I actually don't know because I didn't read the second book, Going The Distance, yet. I'm so excited and looking forward to read it. I want to read it before the movie comes out!

xo Deirdre