John Green’s Paper Towns is another hit among young adults. The book-to-movie adaptation charms audiences all over the world. Reminiscent of classic 80’s films like The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Paper Towns is all about discovering one’s purpose and living life out to the fullest.
Quentin Jacobsen, nicknamed “Q,” played by Nat Wolff is a man with a plan: graduate, attend Dartmouth, get married, have kids, the whole shebang. The bookish 17-year-old is in his last month of high school. He carries out each day admiring from afar the lovely Margo Roth Spiegelman, portrayed by model Cara Delevigne. The pair were childhood friends but over the years grew apart. Margo became a mystery to Quentin.
Until one night, Margo climbs through Quentin’s bedroom window. Confused by this sudden appearance, Q questions Margo’s purpose for being there. On a quest for revenge, Margo pleads for Q’s help (more like his car). Quentin hesitantly decides to join Margo. By the end of the night Q deems the not-so-little revenge project the best night of his life. Quentin smiles to himself in the hopes that things will be different between him and Margo the next day at school.
However, Margo does not show up at school nor is she at home. She seems to have vanished into thin air. Q finds clues possibly leading to her hidden location, and he gathers his friends Ben (Austin Abrams) and Radar (Justice Smith) on a hunt to find Margo.
While Paper Towns may not be all about the romance like in The Fault in Our Stars (another book-to-movie adaptation by John Green), the movie emphasizes friendship, courage, and putting yourself out there. Wolff as Quentin is cute, geeky, and funny – all things Q is in the book. He successfully shows Quentin’s shy cautiousness and is able to transition into the true daredevil Quentin is. Delevingne portrays Margo beautifully, capturing her perplexing allure and moxie. Abrams who plays Ben offers tons of laugh-out-loud humor. Smith brings out Radar’s logic, and unlike the book, his more vulnerable side.
The film’s adventure-esque soundtrack features alternative and indie rock names like Vance Joy, Vampire Weekend, HAIM, and more.
The PG-13 film starts off very similar to the book. Nearing the end, the movie strays from the original story. However, the differences from the novel in the movie puts a neat twist to the story. Fangirls and readers need not fret that their favorite book turned movie is not up to their standards. Director Jake Schreier is able to transmit author Green’s contemporary writing style for the most part throughout the movie. Unlike the movie, the novel has a thriller aspect to it. The movie tends to be more light-hearted and fun than suspenseful. Small details are missing in the movie, but not everything in a book can be transported to the screen.
Paper Towns is meaningful and sends out a message to many that sometimes “you have to get lost before you find yourself.”
Cover photo / Photo 1, Photo 2 & Photo 3
Be sure to follow HCSMC on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest!
Interested in writing for or being apart of HCSMC?
E-mail hannahdrinkall@hercampus.com or thereseburke@hercampus.com for inquiries!