Just in time for Valentine’s Day comes an imaginative and uplifting story of young love. Based on a short story by Lev Grossman we are treated to an inventive and enlightening take on the traditional love story formula. Here is my review for the film.

The film tells the story of quick-witted teen Mark, contentedly living the same day in an endless loop whose world is turned upside-down when he meets mysterious Margaret also stuck in the time loop. Mark and Margaret form a magnetic partnership, setting out to find all the tiny things that make that one day perfect. What follows is a love story with a fantastical twist, as the two struggle to figure out how – and whether – to escape their never-ending day.

Groundhog Day will automatically come to mind and the film is mentioned throughout to the point that we get Lev Grossman’s affection for the comedy. Director Ian Samuels touch of teenage angst meets Romeo and Juliet star-crossed lovers motif fits just perfectly. Samuels’ direction with Cinematographer Andrew Wehde’s fluid work really adds so much to the entertainment of the film. Editor Andrea Bottigliero slices up this whirlwind of repetitive action to bring Wehde’s work to full impact. I love how the film harps back to the wonderful groundhog day homage that is the opening title sequence by fitting in catch it if you can moments throughout. A movie that makes you want to know how shots were done and how much more they must have paid the continuity person.

Our two leads share a nice chemistry that really makes the film worth its viewing. Kathryn Newton once again shows just how aloof she can be in her acting as our puzzling Margaret. Kyle Allen has a great demeanor as he effortless floats through scenes as Mark. The duo is a great fit and they also interact incredibly well with the rest of the game cast. Josh Hamilton is a nice touch of casting as Mark’s dad. Would have liked a bit more scenes with Jermaine Harris who is Mark’s best friend Henry, but the scenes with Mark’s lil sister, played by Cleo Fraser, are a touching addition to the redemptive quality of the movie.

I know I always wondered why is Algebra or Math important in the real world. The film does a great job of showcasing just a tiny perfect reason why being educated is helpful to life. Margaret’s ability to be the pivotal lead is maximized by her conquering the never-ending day predicament by relying on her mathematical knowledge. This is not a story of boy finds girl, but rather how girl saves everyone by meeting boy. A lovely twisty tale that keeps you intrigued to the very end.

When most teenage love tales harp on the attraction we are treated to a film that expounds on everything else so the attraction is all the more felt.

THE MAP OF TINY PERFECT THINGS

Directed by: Ian Samuels

Written by: Lev Grossman based on his short story

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 1hr 38min

Fantasy

Available on AMAZON PRIME on February 12th.

Starring: Kathryn Newton, Kyle Allen, Jermaine Harris, Anna Mikami, Josh Hamilton and Cleo Fraser

3.5 out of 5 Stars

The Selig Rating Scale:

5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.