This post is part of my movie-a-day challenge in which I will watch a film every day for 365 days. Today is Day 168! You can see all the posts for this challenge HERE. To see the original Movie-a-Day Challenge post, click HERE.
Hey there, pals!
Last night, I decided to visit the world of Jake Schreier’s 2015 film, “Paper Towns.” This is a movie that’s been on my list for ages so I was glad I finally got around to seeing it. This film is like a full-on rollercoaster of emotions, with a healthy dose of mystery and a side of coming-of-age feels.
First off, for those who haven’t caught this gem, it’s based on the novel by John Green. You know, the guy who made us all ugly cry with “The Fault in Our Stars”? Yeah, him.
So, the story centers around our protagonist, Quentin or “Q”, as his buddies call him (played by the ever-awkwardly charming Nat Wolff), who’s been secretly crushing on his neighbor Margo (the stunning Cara Delevingne) for, like, forever. Margo is basically the epitome of cool and mysterious – she’s always up for an adventure, leaving everyone wondering what she’s gonna do next. Think manic pixie dream girl, but with more depth, obvs.
One night, Margo bursts into Quentin’s room with a wild plan to exact revenge on a group of people who wronged her. Think shaved eyebrows, plastic-wrapped cars, cheating boyfriends unmasked – the whole shebang! It’s like a scene straight out of a high school revenge fantasy. After a night of hilarious (and slightly destructive) antics, Margo disappears without a trace.
The next day, Margo vanishes, leaving Q a trail of cryptic clues. It’s like she’s challenging him: “Come and find me, Q. I dare you.” So, what does our boy do? He ropes in his squad – Ben and Radar – and they embark on a road trip that’s part detective story, part self-discovery journey. The dynamics between these three are golden; it’s like watching a puppy, a kitten, and a very sarcastic parrot bicker. Love it.
The road trip itself is a blast. It’s filled with quirky banter, hilarious mishaps (seriously, that cow incident had me rolling!), and genuine moments of friendship. It’s like a reminder that sometimes the best adventures are the ones you have with your closest buds, even if they involve chasing shadows across state lines.
But Paper Towns isn’t just about the chase. It’s a coming-of-age story that explores themes of disillusionment, first love, and the importance of finding your own path. Quentin’s journey to find Margo is ultimately a journey of self-discovery. He learns that sometimes the people we idolize aren’t quite who we imagine them to be, and that’s okay.
Margo, with her wild schemes and mysterious disappearance, is like a canvas for Q’s fantasies. But as they dig deeper, Q realizes maybe Margo isn’t the adventure-seeking goddess he thought she was. Maybe she’s just a girl, feeling trapped and looking for her own escape. That hit me right in the feels, not gonna lie. It’s a bittersweet realization, but one that paves the way for personal growth.
But here’s the kicker, folks. While the movie wraps up differently from the book (no spoilers here, promise), it still leaves you with that bittersweet aftertaste of growing up and moving on (and maybe even questioning your own high school crushes.) It’s not just a movie about finding Margo; it’s about finding yourself. And that, my friends, is the real adventure.
Catch you on the flip side,
Roger
P.S. Fun fact: Did you know that “Paper Towns” is actually a real term used by mapmakers? It refers to fake cities or towns that were added to maps to catch copycats! Pretty neat, huh? (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phantomsettlement)