The Map of Tiny Perfect Things Review: A Young Adult Romance Groundhog Day

Release date: February 12, 2021
Running time: 99 minutes
Starring Kathryn Newton, Kyle Allen, Jermaine Harris, Anna Mikami, Josh Hamilton and Cleo Fraser
Directed by Ian Samuels
Written by Lev Grossman

The film tells the story of quick-witted teen Mark (Allen), contentedly living the same day in an endless loop whose world is turned upside-down when he meets mysterious Margaret (Newton), 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.

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things has an upbeat style as Mark is ultra confident, which makes sense because he has lived the same day over and over.  His character is an energetic person who has memorized everything about this one day.  And on top of the style, the movie has an upbeat musical soundtrack that will keep you entertained as you watch Mark's shenanigans.  And when he meets Margaret, the film really starts to get interesting.  I enjoyed Margaret a lot, and that has a lot to do with Kathryn Newton's performance.  Newton is a star and she does a great job with Margaret, the reserved and very smart counterpart of Mark's outgoing and boisterous self.  And the two's adventure is enjoyable to watch as they learn more about this day and try to piece together how to move onto the next one.

However, although Allen did a great job as Mark and he came off as a fun and energetic person, his character is a little full of himself at the start.  Before you really learn why, he just seems like an overly confident person.  And although the premise is a fun one, a repeating groundhog day type movie where two people are immune to the effect, I feel like this was just done in the phenomenal Palm Springs, with a better overall story and feeling.  That movie had a similar premise, similar type characters, and an ultimately more fulfilling story than The Map of Tiny Perfect Things.  And that doesn't mean that this film was not enjoyable or a fun experience, but it just felt like something that I had already seen done, and done better.  But if you are looking for an entertaining groundhog day film that also happens to be a young adult romance film, then this is right up your alley.  

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things takes the Groundhog Day formula to a young adult romance world, with entertaining performances by Allen and Newton and a heartfelt repeating storyline.

Rent it.

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The Map of Tiny Perfect Things is available on Amazon Prime Video on February 12, 2020.