​FILMS

paper towns

2015 review number 118:

Paper Towns: (Drama/Romance): 67 out of 100: If nothing else, the title is catchy and demands explanation. What is a paper town? It is a fake town created by map makers to protect their copyright. How is it incorporated in the story? Margo's mysterious allure leads an admirer on a road trip with his friends to her relocation to a paper town in New York. Is the trip worth it? Preparing for the expedition takes a while but the journey itself is quite enjoyable.

 

The movie begins with Margo and Quentin as children. Margo has just moved across the street from Quentin and it's love at first sight for him. They become best friends but the years in high school result in their lack of communication. Quentin (Nat Wolff) is still infatuated with Margo (Cara Delevingne) but she has a boyfriend and her own friends. One night, Margo sneaks into Quentin's bedroom and requests that he chaperone her on a night of revenge. Her boyfriend, Jase (Griffin Freeman) is sleeping with one of her friends (Caitlin Carver) and her best friend, Lacey (Halston Sage) knew all about it without informing her. After a night of fun and danger, Margo disappears so Quentin embarks on a road trip with his best friends Ben (Austin Abrams) and Radar (Justice Smith), along with Lacey and Radar's girlfriend, Angela (Jaz Sinclair).

 

Based on the best selling novel by John Green who also wrote The Fault in Our Stars, this teen film still holds some appeal for older viewers. There's an air of mystery about Margo's disappearance that should entice interest. The clues left along the way by Margo add to the enjoyment factor. There are moments though that become bogged down with unnecessary talk and hinder the progression of the narrative. The director, Jake Schreier, also overdoes the slow motion sequences. There must be at least a couple of minutes of slow motion throughout the film.

 

The road trip allows for some beautiful scenery. It's these moments along with the night of revenge which are the most fun. It's not all soppy drama as the humorous parts mainly generated by the situations presented on the night of mayhem, along with Austin Abram's hilarious turn as the horny teenager, provide several laughs for the audience. Just when you think you have predicted the ending, the story takes a detour, which is a good thing as the mysterious element of the story and Margo's character, flourishes.

 

The soundtrack is appropriate and listenable, with songs that should appeal to the target audience, which is Generations Y and Z. Even music dinosaurs will agree that the songs won't make their ears bleed.

 

Paper Towns is not paper-thin. There's enough happening for viewers of all ages to sit back and enjoy the movie. The actors might not be well-known but they get by on their charm and exuberance to deliver a tale which pulls you in, leaves you dangling for a while during the middle section, but finally draws you back in to a satisfying conclusion. It might not be the best teen movie ever made, but it's still quite enjoyable, nevertheless.

 

Starring Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne and Austin Abrams

(109 minutes)

Parental advice: Sexual references, coarse language and nudity

Additional scene during or after credits: No

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rnjuh5dXk-g (Movie trailer)

(Reviewed on Sunday 16th July, 2015)

 

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