Paper Towns// Movie | Review
It seems weird that I have been to the cinema twice in the space of the week, but it is a nice pre-college treat!
This time round (last night), I went to see the Paper Towns film, based on John Green's best-selling novel.
The book itself disappointed me a little. There was a massive build up for a really crappy ending. Not one of is best novels, and it definitely doesn't touch on his other novel and film The Fault in Our Stars, but here is what I thought of the film...
If you do not know what the story of the novel/film is, then let me explain. It is basically a coming of age story based around the relationship of two teenagers, who first became friends at the age of ten when Margo (Cara Delevigne) moved into the house across the road from Quentin (Nat Wolf).
As they grew older, they grew further and further apart. Their story continues in the final term of senior year. Margo is this gorgeous, bad-ass who hangs out with all the popular people, whilst Quentin is...well, Quentin.
But one evening, just like old times, Margo sneaks into Q's room through his bedroom window and persuades him to come out on a mini-road trip as she has nine tasks (revenge plots) she needs to do within the night. He agrees to go out on this trip, which he would soon find to be the biggest adventure, and the best night of his life...
However, the tables turn as after their successful night of removing eyebrows and wrapping cars in cling film somehow result in Margo's absence from school the next day. Where has she gone?
Quentin finds a series of clues and is determined to chase Margo, even if he ends up in a paper town...
The film on a whole was good. My favorite aspect of it was the cinematography. The way that the director captured the cities during Margo and Q's drive, and during the journey to find Margo. The playlist was equally beautiful, I loved the use of Bon Iver- Stacks during Q's 'emotional time' (I don't want to spoil it if you haven't read the book or seen the film!) upon arriving at Margo's supposed location.
Personally, I thought the casting was a little weak. John Green approved and obviously he knows his characters and how they should be reflected better than anyone else, but the way I interpreted the novel was different. I couldn't think of an ideal cast from the top of my head, but I sort of had issues with Cara. I think she would of done a much better job playing Margo if the director and camera crew didn't try to reflect Delevigne as a model rather than an actor. Don't get me wrong she is a very beautiful young woman, but I thought there were to many wind-through-hair kind of shots. For instance, during the night where she's carrying out her revenge plots and she's sticking her head out the window, looking like some majestic pixie girl that Q would rightfully so be in love with. Another example would be when Quentin is dreaming when staying overnight in the souvenir store, and Margo struts in wearing this elegant red ball gown with her hair and makeup done. Because it was Cara Delevigne, I felt that scene was more like a 'J'adore...the new fragrance by Chanel' moment rather than a 'Hi, you're in love with me and I want you to fine me' moment. She's on screen, not in a photography studio!
Having said that, Delevigne has confessed to being a massive tom boy, and that's how I pictured Margo as a character when reading the book. This was something I was very pleased about when I heard about the casting choices.
One thing I will always respect and love about the story is how many messages it puts across. Especially in this story. Such as how even the most popular kid in school could be carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders, how saying 'yes' and having an adventure could be the best decision you ever make, making sex special. So many coming of age things you will only get to experience once!
However, John Green has created so many overly intelligent teenagers in his novels. Not just in Paper Towns, but in Looking for Alaska and The Fault in Our Stars too. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, because there have been so many generational stereotypes over the years in novels, films and tv series. Stereotypes such as dumb cheerleaders, geeky kids with acne, braces and glasses. So in a way it's good, but in a way it's sort of way too much. It can be a good source of inspiration for teenagers to aim high and take the life lessons these extremely wise teenagers in the books experience for themselves. Like in Paper Towns, the way Q felt on the night where he got up to mischief with Margo was apparently the way he should be feeling throughout his life. Thrilled.
I can't really describe how I was disappointed with both the book and the film. I think it was mainly the fact I'm not really a chick flick kind of girl. I'm not into soppy romance and I don't idolize the couples I see on a screen or read about in books. Maybe it was also the weak storyline behind all the complexity of the characters involved. It's basically about a guy who gets enticed by a girl and goes out to find her. And the ending (which I am not going to spoil) makes the whole thing seem like such a waste of time. Why give us all the build up for us just to reach the end of the story and think 'oh..ok', when instead we could be overwhelmed with various feelings. Yes, it was emotional. But it didn't reduce me to tears, or make me laugh with joy. I suppose because I'd read the book, I knew what to expect so I wasn't sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation. But then when I was reading the book, I was and again, the ending was dismal because the story got me so built up for what was about to come. But what was about to come wasn't even that great.
But, it does leave your mind open to what could happen next. Could there be a spin off about Margo's new life? Will Q ever get over her and find love again? I love how John Green left the ending slightly open ended so his fans could ponder over this, and use their hopeful imaginations to decide what happens to the characters next.
Star rating: ✮✮✮
I hope you guys have enjoyed reading my review. If you haven't already, go and see this film. Especially if you are a fan of chick flicks or a John Green fan girl!
Hopefully soon there will be a Looking for Alaska film coming out. I think I would enjoy that a hell of a lot more. But, Paper Towns really wasn't that bad!
Until next time xo
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