“The Map of Tiny Perfect Things” was released as an Amazon Prime Original on Feb. 12, 2021. A fantasy rom-com, it is based on the short story of the same name written by movie screenwriter and #1 New York Times bestselling author Lev Grossman. It features actors Kyle Allen and Kathryn Newton as the two main characters the film revolves around. It received 78% on Rotten Tomatoes with critics calling it “an utterly charming, engaging, and yes, original film.” It was nominated for a Golden Trailer Award in the categories of Best Music and Best BTS/EPK for a Feature Film (Under 2 minutes) in 2021 and ended up winning Best Romance that same year. The next year, it was also nominated for Best Movie Made for Television at the Critics’ Choice Awards.
The movie follows a “Groundhog Day” style story, where Mark, (played by Allen) is stuck in a time loop of the same day. One day, however, he meets an unfamiliar girl, Margaret, (played by Newton), who, as he finds out, is stuck in the same loop. Accompanied by a contemporary, indie soundtrack, the film beautifully captures the themes of young love and everyday life. Throughout the movie, the characters compile a list of events that happen in their town on a repeating day and decide to make the titular “Map of Tiny Perfect Things.” The movie hits many touching points, most notably the sense that time is fleeting and that sometimes you need to stop and enjoy the beauty of the little things.
I was somewhat skeptical at first, however, the unassuming hallmark-esque movie blossomed into a beautiful tale of love and loss. If you enjoy sweet, small-town-style movies that have a summer break aesthetic, this movie is for you. Curl up on the couch after a long day or make some popcorn and have a large group movie night, any way you choose to watch will be a wonderfully heartwarming experience. I found the soundtrack to be very compelling, as it features many modern songs that evoke a sense of reminiscence. If you are looking for a thought-provoking movie for an easy watch, I highly recommend giving this movie a shot.
