The Kissing Booth
2018 · Directed by Vince Marcello
Original language: English
- romance
- comedy
The story
When teenager Elle's first kiss leads to a forbidden romance with the hottest boy in high school, she risks her relationship with her best friend.
What it’s like
Bright, saturated Southern California daylight over sunny high school hallways, beach boardwalks, and backyard pool parties, with a glossy digital finish, bouncy pop soundtrack and playful cuts between scenes. The mood is light, giddy and teen-sweet, with a bit of comic awkwardness and a crush-driven flutter running through it. The pacing is brisk and episodic, built around parties, school dances and secret meetings, and the emotional arc follows a girl learning to tell real friendship from infatuation as her feelings get tangled between two boys. Intensity is low: some mild teen drinking, a few kisses and suggestive moments, and a couple of arguments, with no violence or gore, though some scenes depict a controlling, jealous romance that may sting for viewers sensitive to that dynamic. Good for a lighthearted weekend watch, a comfort rewatch for fans of teen rom-coms, and people who want a sunny, easy story about first crushes and the messiness of growing up.
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