'Turtles All the Way Down' Review: Isabela Merced's fine performance elevates Max's average film
Contains spoilers for ‘Turtles All the Way Down’
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ten years ago, John Green's 'The Fault in Our Stars' made waves in both literature and the box office, inspiring a slew of film and TV adaptations of his works.
Though the frenzy around Green has simmered down since then, interest in his coming-of-age tales persists. Enter Max's latest project: an adaptation of 'Turtles All the Way Down', Green's 2017 novel, directed by Hannah Marks.
The buzz surrounding this new film isn't as loud as it was for 'The Fault in Our Stars,' but that doesn't mean it should be overlooked. 'Turtles All the Way Down' is a bit of a mixed bag, with its focus on mental health, romance, and broader themes like grief and growing up.
It even throws in a quirky subplot about a missing billionaire, which might throw some viewers off. However, beneath its uneven parts lies a story with genuine heart, anchored by Isabela Merced's standout performance.
In short, while 'Turtles All the Way Down' may not have the same level of hype as its predecessor, it still offers something worthwhile for fans of Green's storytelling.
'Turtles All the Way Down' touches upon OCD with sensitivity
Our main character, Aza Holmes (played by Merced), kicks off the movie by explaining that our bodies are full of microbes, which makes her feel like she doesn't fully own her body. This is the root of her anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
She constantly worries that these tiny creatures inside her could harm her. Aza often gets lost in intense thought patterns that disconnect her from her surroundings, even as life moves forward.
Director Marks portrays these spirals by muffling the sounds around Aza and using voiceover narration to illustrate her swirling thoughts. There are also quick shots of squirming microorganisms (a heads-up for those uncomfortable with close-ups of bacteria) and bursts of dissonant noise.
The sound alone creates tension, effectively conveying the constant intrusion of intrusive thoughts. Aza's spirals are intense, yet they never feel exaggerated.
In therapy sessions with Dr. Singh (Poorna Jagannathan ), Aza attempts to tackle her OCD, but she hesitates to take her medication. Instead, she focuses her thoughts on a healing callus on her finger.
Initially helpful, this coping mechanism becomes increasingly difficult to maintain as the story progresses, leading to heartbreaking developments later on.
Isabela Merced shines bright in 'Turtles All the Way Down'
Isabela Merced, an already well-established young performer with roles in 'Transformers: The Last Knight', 'Sicario: Day of the Soldado', and the upcoming DC Universe as Hawgirl (plus HBO's 'The Last of Us' season 2), truly shines in 'Turtles All the Way Down'.
Throughout the film, Aza undergoes a profound journey, allowing Merced to showcase the many facets of her character. The scenes where Aza grapples with her OCD are intense and difficult to watch, yet Merced delivers each moment with heartfelt sincerity.
While 'Turtles All the Way Down' may have some narrative flaws, they are easily overshadowed by the strength of Aza's story, beautifully brought to life by director Marks with sensitivity and heart.
Although a more diverse cast of characters could have enhanced the viewing experience, this remains a film with a meaningful message worth hearing.
Certain relationships in 'Turtles All the Way Down' are shallow and aren't fully explored
While most of the story focuses on Aza's journey, one part is simpler: the billionaire's disappearance. The police offer a reward for information, and it turns out his son, Davis, is a friend of Aza's from a grief camp they attended. Both Aza and Davis have lost their parents, and they seemed close at camp, as shown in quick memories.
Their teenage reunion leads to romance, which makes Aza nervous because she fears sharing germs. Despite her worries, they're drawn to each other. But the film doesn't show their bond well or develop Davis beyond his missing father.
Davis mainly pushes Aza's story forward, without much depth. A similar issue happens with Aza's relationship with her mother, Gina. Their problems are told, not shown, and while they grow later, their early scenes feel a bit out of place and awkward.
The best relationship is between Aza and her friend Daisy. Despite later issues, Daisy's support and personality make their friendship interesting from the start. Cree's acting adds depth to their scenes together.
The natural chemistry between Merced and Cree Cicchino is evident from the start, especially as we see their characters bonding over music. Watching them groove to Outkast pulls us into their friendship and makes us care about them, even when things get tough.
It's disappointing that we don't see more of Aza and Daisy, whose talks hold many of the lessons in 'Turtles All the Way Down.' Through their friendship, Aza realizes how much she's missed out on by longing for a "normal" life instead of living in the moment.
While 'Turtles All the Way Down' may struggle at times to strike a balance between relatable teenage angst and larger-than-life emotions, its raw portrayal of human experience ultimately resonates.
The film's authenticity shines through Merced and Cree's performances, making it a worthwhile watch for those seeking a poignant exploration of mental health and friendship.
'Turtles All the Way Down' is currently streaming on Max from Thursday, May 2.