Given the setup, the ending could only be so pat and oddly seems to brush off everything it took so long to establish. There’s some genuinely funny moments and the cast is likable enough. Still, King is an endearing lead and easily able to keep viewers invested in Elle’s plight. Even odder, Lee gets into a relationship to the most accommodating girlfriend (Meganne Young) ever and how that affects Elle is barely mentioned. Lee starts off as a pivotal character and then gets relegated to an obstacle so Noah and Elle can keep running around undetected. I liked the best friend storyline a lot more since there seemed to be little chance of Noah and Elle surviving Noah’s first year in college. That doesn’t come off as cute and endearing, but more like a guy Elle should ditch to avoid a toxic relationship.
Noah is a hothead and seems to have some real anger management issues.
Elle’s father doesn’t approve, which is a minor thing in the film’s context, but probably should have more meaning since he’s her only surviving parent.
And Elle comes off worse for lying to Lee as well as going against his wishes.
#THE KISSING BOOTH REVIEWS CODE#
While it might not be as strong as a Bro Code, a Besties Code probably should trump a high school crush. That’s not the case with Kissing Booth as the film keeps making the case against Elle and Noah getting together. In most romantic comedies part of the fun is watching the couple finally realize they’re right for each other. King and Elordi have decent chemistry, but they’re fighting an uphill battle in selling this romance. Buying into Noah and Elle having a sibling-like relationship is far easier than seeing them as a couple. It also doesn’t help that King still looks so youthful at 18-years-old. Thanks to his 6’4″ height and King being a foot shorter, the age difference seems far more pronounced. There’s only a three year age gap between King and Elordi. Not too shockingly, it’s Elle who finds magic in the kissing booth, but can she trust Noah not to break her heart? Lee hopes this will give him the opportunity to make out with his crush, Mia (Jessica Sutton). While most school administrators would frown on this kind of activity, apparently this school is fine since there’s no tongue. the best friend rules and Elle’s perspective on relationships.Įlle’s never been kissed, but reluctantly agrees to a kissing booth for the school’s fall fundraiser. That offers some context in terms of what Marcello was working with and some of the changes he had to make i.e. A brawny bad boy with brains? Sounds too good to be true.ĭirector/Screenwriter Vince Marcello adapts the novel Beth Reekles self-published two years ago when she was 15. To further stack the deck, Noah is also getting acceptance letters from Ivy League schools. He’s quick to get into a fight to protect Lee and Elle, has all the girls at high school swooning over him, drives a motorcycle and is a star football player.
Granted, this one seems somewhat one sided since Elle’s only sibling is a toddler and way out of Lee’s age bracket. But that goes against one of the main best friends rules that Elle established long ago with Lee: relatives are off limits. But Elle is starting to nurse a crush on Lee’s older brother, Noah (Jacob Elordi). Born at the exact same day and time, the two have been inseparable ever since.
#THE KISSING BOOTH REVIEWS MOVIE#
For those a bit more selective with their Netflix movie choices, this is probably one you’ll want to skip.Įlle (Joey King, White House Down) has been best friends with Lee (Joel Courtney) since birth…literally. Will The Kissing Booth leave you smitten? If you’re a fan of cheesy, teen romance comedies, you already have your answer.