‘THE MAP OF TINY PERFECT THINGS’: A MOSTLY INTERESTING DRAMA

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Months later and finally I watch the Prime original The Map of Tiny Perfect Things. Based on a short story, I didn’t think I’d enjoy this one, but…

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things (2021) Amazon Prime Review

Waking up with pep in his step and a routine, Mark (Kyle Allen) starts his day almost as if he knows the playbook. His day even includes rescuing a pretty girl by the pool who he happens to have a bit of a crush on. Turns out, the next day is a repeat day, and in fact Mark lives in a 24-hour loop where tomorrow never comes. Just as Mark is about to again try making a good impression on his crush, a girl walks into Mark’s path and does it for him. But who is she?

The mysterious girl, who doesn’t seem able to drive, is Margaret (Kathryn Newton) and much to both of their surprise, she too seems lost in this endless loop. The question is, why?

This is one of those films I did see constantly when I scrolled the TV, but nothing urgently tugged me towards it. Finally, I did watch it. In a kind of portrait of imperfection, it’s also a pretty charming little dramedy. The film has something interesting in many of its important conversations which is things to ponder. I don’t always agree with the opinions some of them result in, but some have hard-hitting truths, too.

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‘THE MAP OF TINY PERFECT THINGS’: A MOSTLY INTERESTING DRAMA. Kyle Allen and Kathryn Newton co-star in this Prime original. Text  © Rissi JC

Going off the way it begins, The Map of Tiny Perfect Things takes its script and shifts perspective. It’s interesting to a point and helps in solving a mystery, but also feels very much like a culture thing that forces “acceptance.” Regardless, I do still enjoy the story. Surprisingly it has some lessons about living vs letting life pass by. It’s more of a fantasy story than reality driven, but the moments that shine (like some of the conversation or the sweet montage finding “perfect things”) helps to ground things.

I do like the cast but have to place an asterisk here. I think Kyle Allen is really good in an earnest kind of way, which I think is the only way to play Mark. He does well with the role including his personality shift in the aftermath of Margaret’s definition of living. Additionally, the opening is way good. There’s just something catching about it. I like Kathryn Newton… to a point. She has this kind of who-cares attitude that plays well for parts of her character, but in two “key” romantic scenes, it seems as if she’s not into or fully embracing the moment. Could just be me, but something about them is a little off. Not to the point of ruining things, but still… there’s some discomfort there.

Based on a short story, The Map of Tiny Perfect Things is cute. There’s some weight to its storytelling and mostly a good cast that brings this story to life well.

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‘THE MAP OF TINY PERFECT THINGS’: A MOSTLY INTERESTING DRAMA. Kyle Allen and Kathryn Newton co-star in this Prime original. Text  © Rissi JC

Content: there is one f-word (sh*t, etc.) and conversation about sex (relatively mild). There may be other mild innuendo, but mostly, the film is standard PG-13. Nothing terrible, but still some content.

Photos: FilmNation Entertainment / Amazon Prime

About Rissi JC

amateur graphic designer. confirmed bookaholic. bubbl’r enthusiast. critical thinker. miswesterner. social media coordinator. writer.

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