MATURE CONTENT? Netflix's Rating: TV-PG Why?: Mild dark content (see below for more details)
SPOIL-FREE SUMMARY
Based on Lemony Snicket’s novel series, A Series of Unfortunate Eventsfollows Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire, three siblings who abruptly become orphans and pass from guardian to guardian. Their first guardian, Count Olaf (played by Neil Patrick Harris), is a villainous man who will stop at nothing to get the Baudelaire fortune. After a dismal short stay with Olaf, the children are moved repeatedly through a string of guardians, all the while being followed by a disguised Count Olaf and his troop. The children must attempt to escape his clutches amidst adults too preoccupied or duped to listen to the Baudelaires’ voice of reason.
Violet, the oldest, has a knack for inventing, and is handy with tools. Klaus is a walking-talking library — he can remember every book he’s ever read. And Sunny, the baby of the family, has a knack for biting things. The Baudelaires use their talents to withstand a never-ending array of unfortunate events thrown their way, all the while having their journey narrated by Lemony Snicket himself, who slowly reveals an elaborate mystery of a secret society to which the Baudelaire parents belonged.
CRITICAL REVIEW
The Kissing Booth is the epitome of teenage romantic comedy movies, including its plain-girl-somehow-gets-the-hottest-guy-in-school plot and all the silly drama and making out that comes along with it. The film doesn’t beat around bushes in its attempts to capture the genre–from its blatant inclusion of a popular mean-girl clique to its romanticizing of prom and bad boys on motorcycles.
Arguably the best part of the entire movie is Molly Ringwald’s character, who plays Noah and Lee’s mom and Elle’s mother figure after her mom passes away. Her presence alone in the film hones back to classics The Kissing Booth is trying to be: 16 Candles, Breakfast Club and all those 80s works of romantic perfection. Ringwald’s cinema history holds so much weight that the film is elevated to a higher status just by her presence (though her screen time is, sadly, limited).
Joey King does well in the main character’s shoes—she’s got some great acting chops and brought her character just a bit further out from the cliches it was grounded in. And Joel Courtney plays a great goofy yet loveable best friend character. Jacob Elordi, on the other hand, didn’t exactly shine as the bad boy love interest. His performance was a bit dull, and didn’t capture that mysterious allure his character stereotype is supposed to have. And—it must be pointed out—Elordi and King’s height difference is just way too distracting.
The bottom line: The Kissing Booth captures just about every teen romantic comedy cliche in all its cheesy, fun glory. If you enjoy the genre, you’ll definitely enjoy this new edition to the line-up. If you shy away from improbable teen romances and dramatic 16-year-olds, keep scrolling through the Netflix queue.
WHAT MORMONS/PARENTS NEED TO KNOW
Overall, Unfortunate Events is kid-friendly. Though the show has gloomy tones, comedic content really brightens things up. There's no sex or language to worry about (just some rather promiscuous costumes Count Olaf's girlfriend in the second season dons).
Plus, the show presents several positive messages, including perseverance and thinking positively in the midst of trials. It also promotes being well-read and listening to others.
There are moments of violence and occasional deaths, but nothing graphic is ever shown — it's all pretty Disney-esque tame.