I had heard a lot of hype around The Summer I Turned Pretty, but honestly, I was really disappointed. Beyond the predictable plot and cliché characters, what bothered me the most were the over-the-top, inaccurate portrayals of France, Paris, and French people.
Once again, France is reduced to a postcard fantasy—everyone speaks with a "charming" accent, eats croissants under the Eiffel Tower, and lives this overly romanticized life. The French characters are walking stereotypes, sometimes borderline ridiculous. It’s clear the writers have a very shallow understanding of French culture.