The Map That Leads to You movie review: The romance set against European summer is too sugary for its own good
It is obvious from the start that the film, based on the book The Map That Leads to You by JP Monninger, will be about the transformative journey that these young women undertake even as romance adds an extra layer of flavour to the story. The film tries to be mushy and is replete with several cute moments. To an extent, the film is successful at showcasing a nostalgia-soaked narrative, which is shot in multiple charming European cities, that tugs at the heartstrings. Yet, this movie does not have the sweetness and whimsicality of Chocolat, which was also an adaptation of a book.
Heather meets Jack (Apa) during a train journey when they happen to be reading the same book, Ernest Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises.
The Nobel laureate's first book follows a group of young American and British expatriates wandering through Europe in the mid-1920s. While Heather is reading it on her ipad, Jack is carrying a physical copy. This coincidence also establishes their different approaches to life. That's, of course, about to change.
There is a scene in which they end up arguing over Jack's objection to people recording everything on their smartphones instead of enjoying the moment. Heather counters Jack's views saying that what the tourists are doing is not any different from Jack's grandfather maintaining a journal of his travels across Europe. It's just that the medium of documenting one's experience has changed. While
Heather's statement sounds logical, it is not convincing. Can smartphones and social media really match the romance of a leather-bound notebook filled with handwritten notes and sketches? Don't think so.
Watch The Map That Leads to You trailer
The film does try to blend the old-world charm with contemporary vibes. It succeeds in doing so, partly. In spite of trying to evoke nostalgia through the entries in the journal as well as conversations about old traditions and artistic legacy of Europe, the romantic tale fails to be enchanting. As a result, it does not establish a deep connection that's mandatory for a romantic tale to be effective.
However, if you dream of traveling, discovering beautiful locales, and escaping the humdrum routine, The Map That Leads to You offers a cinematic getaway.
The Map That Leads to You movie cast: Madelyn Cline, KJ Apa, Sofia Wylie, Madison Thompson
The Map That Leads to You movie director: Lasse Hallström
The Map That Leads to You movie rating: Two stars
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