I have to agree no way you cant get all of those plot lines in 2 hrs i loveddddd it

It’s refreshing that a book fan (like me) understands that book to movie adaptation has to have changes and cuts and that doesn’t mean it’s betraying the story

I loved this movie. I thought Nicholas absolutely devoured that perspective switch at the lake.

Taylor as Alex absolutely slayed

I am so happy with the review and I agree with all the points. I am actually glad I didn't read the book before watching the movie, so I didnt have any expectations and managed to enjoy and love the movie. Then I read the novel in a day, I love it! Then, I watched the movie again. Normally, at this time, I will grow to dislike the movie (PJO trauma), but the thing is... I actually love the movie too. I felt tired seeing people gripe about how these scenes are not shown blah blah blah, but the thing is, you can't fit an entire book into a movie. And the book deals with some pretty serious issues (homophobia, racism, grooming, underage things (Henry went through a lot oh my God), underage things with a senator), like... I honestly dont know how you can make a romcom with those concerns, and I can see movie execs wanting money so they will avoid things like that to avoid on stepping on someone's shoes. And of course, let's just say the book will do better with a series. But alas, we got a movie. And the movie is a great intro to you wanting to read the book, it certainly did it for me. There are changes in the movie that I think did better. 1. Alex's coming out speech 2. Their exchange of the ring and the key (Like nah man, that ring is Henry's comfort ring, you don't get to take it away withour replacing something), so Alex giving him the key is such a big thing, because it is a physical source of comfort (And he wears it too, it's killing me). 3. The Paris scene. Like man, I am a visual person, and I cannot with the smut in the book. I'm legitimately staring at those blankly, and just passing thru them. This movie certainly did it better albeit the pace is so fast like man, you gotta calm down, we cant have four separate scenes one after another, chill! But the Paris scene... Is so freaking well done. It's romantic, and soft, and normally scenes like those make me cringe but this scene just... Oh my God. It is so freaken romantic! 4. Aging up the characters. God, yes. While this is a minus to Alex because yeah, he's a wee bit immature in here, in the beginning, it gives so much sense to something. Like the forever talk between Alex and his mom. You can't have that conversation to a young adult. That's dumb. Them appearing older makes so much sense. 5. The chemistry between the two actors. Their handholdings, their kisses, just the looks. Them facing the king, and Alex touching his fingers with Henry. Just the small moments. Alex is legit so affectionate. Oh my God. My favorite character is Henry. Upon my first viewing, I'm like, "Awww... Look at his puppy eyes." And Nick is so expressive with him, like damn, he can show so much emotion and just yes! His Henry gave me a "This man went through a lot." I can feel like there is something going on. And upon reading the book, I was like 😮 I can see his feelings for Alex so well without him speaking. As well as how he's just been through a lot. I love how to movie gave us some of his POV and just my boy, yes! More Henry! While I am praising the movie, there are indeed some scenes that I really wish has been in the movie. 1. Alex's long time crush with Henry (When he's 12 and first saw Henry in the magazine) 2. He's thinking process, how he has this obsession with Henry for so long. 3. Bea's speech about Henry to Alex, because I love my boy, and he needs more about him. 4. The email references, but then thinking about it, it'll be hard to show. Sorry for the long review but you just got me all fired up. I wish we can have a series with these characters because the chemistry between all of them is so good!

In the book, I find a lot of Alex's early correspondence to be a bit cruel, intending to poke Henry because Alex just wants to see any response out of Henry. And Henry, as we the audience know, was not a superior-feeling robot but sensitive and trapped in what he felt he could say. In the book, Henry's interaction with the little girl served to let Alex know Henry had more depth to him mainly because of the Star Wars discussion. In the movie, we don't hear what Henry is saying, only he and she are so animated - it isn't the depth of Henry's interests but how he could help her feelings. And Alex watching from the doorway, you can see his heart start to melt. I think following that scene, it would be hard to have Alex feeling any need to try to get an emotional reaction from Henry in the following emails and texts, because he would have witnessed all that he would need to in that unguarded moment of Henry. It took me many rewatchings of the movie (as I have become obsessed with doing) to notice that Alex uses the exact same phrase "I've got to get out of here" when saying goodbye, after hearing Henry in the closet pointing out how different in meaning than what Alex thought he had said. And Alex grips Henry's upper arm as a sign of fellowship in the final shaking of hands in leaving, as well as his V-for-victory hand signs.* The poison had drained from their relationship in the more powerful interaction the movie was capable of providing (and did do) than the long one needed in the book. In the movie, the amusement that Alex and Henry are getting in their interchanges I like a lot more than the long lead up to that in the book. (The movie had to add the couch interview to get in some of this more pointed exchanges before the Hospital happenings, because the poison had been drained out of Alex after that. *Winston Churchill used the "V for victory" hand gesture during WWII. It was picked up by Americans during the Vietnam War. President Nixon repurposed its meaning in the final Watergate years, when it came to mean "I am not a crook" but that connotation has faded in the decades since. Doubt Alex was trying to invoke Nixon.

I loved loved loved the movie! So good!

I didn't read the book but I LOVED this movie. I agree that it felt like a lot of scenes were cut out with certain mentions of the character's pasts so I wished they had gone for a mini series to fully encompass the book but unfortunately that still really isn't a big thing in Hollywood like with Korean Shows.

Ive never been so pleased about hearing somethng I know nothing about but here I am

I read the book after your review on the trailer and I enjoyed it so much ! Though I haven’t watched the movie yet, I’ve seen a lot of clips and posts about it everywhere. Especially the “hand thing”, so many posts on tumblr comparing it to pride and prejudice. Good job on the 34 minutes video by the way, I really like the montage ^^

I NOW NEED TO READ AND WATCH THIS NOW!

I watched the movie first and then read the book so the book acted as an explanation to some aspects in the movie. You can see how much the book AND its author were so loved and respected with awe by every one involved - there were so many hints in the movie which only make full sense by referring to the book. I can't imagine the anguish they all must have felt with every cut they had to make. Luckily the author was kept in the loop and may have even wielded the biggest red pen in crossing out what needed to be eliminated.

Really hope they had made it into tv shows. It’s hard to introduce the movie to non-book reader

Loved the movie. I wish it had been a series so more of the book could be put on screen.

so, i think i should read the book ASAP!!! but please give me advice, better buy the pink one or the blue one? thank youu

I love this movie so much it is my favourite! Yeah it is missing a few things but it’s hard to fit the whole book into the movie and I honestly think if the book wasn’t written more people would love the movie but they are both brilliant I LOVE THIS MOVIE SOOO MUCH

If this book had been made into a movie a decade or more ago, the Alex-Henry part might have been sidelined as they focused on all the other characters. You know, so they wouldn't offend anyone. Years ago, they made a movie out of a wonderful book, PS, Your Cat Is Dead. The gay aspect was completely scrubbed. So I am so glad this time, they focused on the love story.

I just purchased the book Saturday night started reading yesterday. I really loved everythin about the way Taylor Zahkar-Perez portrayed Alex, he was so fun loving, open and happy. I loved Henry too he was quiet, low key and I think he loved Alex's personality. I just started the book ad I may have to amend my comments bit this movie was 🔥

As I understand it, it was Amazon who restricted this to two hours or less in length. I doubt a series was ever a serious option. So for everything people wish had been kept from the book, they should consider they need to balance that with what they would now need to cut.

I just finished it! I LOVED ITTTT!! My only disappointment is that they didn't have June (Or a power point presentation :( ) but I understand you cant get through everything in two hours. OHHH and I wished he said, "I am as gay as Remus Lupin" honestly would have been a 10/10 but they go the "History, Huh?" so I am fine!!!

I read the book after the movie and I liked the movie better (the book was way too long and unlike a lot of people, I didn’t like the book emails). I loved Taylor as Alex, thought he was perfect for the role. Just fyi, for Austin, that house at the end of the movie was middle/working class. Housing is (or was for that time period) a lot cheaper in Texas so you could buy a big house like that for a reasonable price.

Can you please tell me which book to purchase? There are two books, "one with the pink cover" and the other with "movie characters printed" ?

i can’t believe i watched a film just because they mention lana del rey once

To see the difference between the movie and the book compare Alex's speech after they are exposed from one medium to the other: it is the difference between a boy and a man!

Ummm yes reading this NOW ( I am tempted to watch the movie because like everyone is talking about it but I need to read the book first or the universe is out of order)

THE TAILER FOR PJO is out

Alex likes the author James Baldwin! Can’t get smarter than that!

I did not read the book and I quite enjoyed the movie

❤❤❤❤

I kinda feel like it was watered down (expected since it’s only 2 hours long) I realized I should stop comparing it to the book when Alex asked Henry what his favorite movie was and Henry didn’t rant about Star Wars. Should’ve at least kept Rafael Luna honestly

I look at so many of the "that is NOT how it should be/happen" as part of the comedy aspect, not a negative. In the beginning we see this giant cake which really could not have been cut and served without starting on stepladders. When the scene opens, there is no one cutting the cake nor even starting to make any preparation to do so. There is alcohol freely flowing and yet not a speck of any FOOD (probably also due to the film's budget). So no wonder Alex gets sloshed. I also think he is NOT a heavy drinker in some sense because it is often the moderate drinker who goes over the top and doesn't feel it coming. And I doubt Nora would have left him alone if this was typical. (And the White House would hardly have let him represent them knowing this was a frequent occurence.)