Joey Magidson
No author seems more keyed in to the experiences of teenagers than John Green. As such, his books have been a hot commodity, at least for a few years, for film adaptations. The Fault in Our Stars reached blockbuster status, while Paper Towns was a more modest success (with Looking for Alaska a very well regarded miniseries). Now, we have Turtles All the Way Down, which has less of an overt cinematic hook, but through a talented director in Hannah Marks and a real sense of teen issues, manages to be another successful Green adaptation.
Turtles All the Way Down is more of an internal work than Green’s other adaptations, in part befitting the sensibilities of Marks’ more indie features. The normal teen elements are handled very well here, while the additional elements of a Green work are less memorable, though still effective. Marks and company have a handle on the material, never letting it feel too big or too small, depending on where the focus is.
Aza Holmes (Isabela Merced) is a teenager dealing with obsessive compulsive disorder. For her, the OCD manifests largely in a fear of germs. Her best friend Daisy (Cree) is supportive, but just trying to be a teen, which Aza is a bit more hit or miss at. They have an easy back and forth, though, so there’s a support system in place, one that includes Aza’s well-meaning mother (Judy Reyes).
When the news reports that a billionaire has gone missing and there’s a reward, Daisy is intrigued, but it’s Aza who reveals that she knows the missing man’s son, Davis (Felix Mallard). They met years ago at what she calls “sad camp” when she was dealing with her father’s death, while he was dealing with his mother’s death. Reuniting, they end up beginning a tentative romance, even as the mystery of his dad remains, as well as her OCD. There’s not a lot of surprise in where things go, but the way it’s all handled is to be admired.
Isabela Merced does a solid job leaning into the plucky teen elements as well as the OCD drama. Merced is able to balance both, much like the protagonists in all of Marks’ works. Her chemistry with Cree is strong, too, making you believe they’re both longtime friends. The latter is somewhat comedic support, but she does it well. Felix Mallard leaves less of an impression but is still fine, while Judy Reyes is a welcome presence. Supporting players here include J. Smith-Cameron, Maliq Johnson, and more, including a cameo by Marks herself.
Director Hannah Marks, working from a screenplay by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, has a real feel for teen life. Her filmmaking is empathetic and funny in all of her works, so it’s no surprise to find that in evidence here as well. Marks is a talented writer, so I arguably would have liked her to have taken a crack at the script, but that’s no dig against Aptaker and Berger. I’m just a fan of her voice and the more, the merrier. If there’s anything to ding here, it’s the running time being a little bloated, but it does allow the film to breathe, which is nice.
Turtles All the Way Down won’t blow you away, but Marks, like Green has a respect for teenagers and their dramas. So, this winds up being less of a teen melodrama and more of a character study, which is the right choice. If you’re looking for a new YA adaptation to give a shot to, this is certainly one to seek out on Max this week!
SCORE: ★★★
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