It’s been half a decade since the directorial debut of Hannah Marks, yet each film she’s made has boasted the same vitality and youthful fervor of a new voice on the scene. Her first adaptation and most ambitious project yet, Turtles All the Way Down, benefits from her ability to tap into the zeitgeist of today’s youth, allowing it to rise above its conventions.
Adapted from John Green’s acclaimed young adult novel of the same name, Turtles All the Way Down follows a teen girl with big dreams and aspirations as she investigates the mystery of a fugitive billionaire. The film is far less interested in the central mystery than the protagonist’s internal journey, simply using this as a device to propel her self-discovery.
At its core, the film is a pretty standard coming-of-age romance. The protagonist is the “pretty but doesn’t know it” archetype, with a lack of self-confidence that’s not entirely believable considering that the actress playing her has been the center of no less than three failed would-be franchise starters. But the resulting romance has all the cheese and melodrama you’d expect — it’s just a matter of if you’re into the genre.
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Turtles All the Way Down offers a well-directed approach to familiar tropes
Still, Turtles All the Way Down stands out because of the relative depth with which it treats its characters. The protagonist lives with severe OCD, and the film does an excellent job of exploring the quirks and minutiae of the condition. Marks tells this story with a level of tension that nears psychological horror at times, and while it’s a bizarre approach at first, it feels very effective for what the film is striving for.
That being said, despite good intentions, it’s not always there with the execution. For example, the film often puts too much blame on the character — such as frequent statements that she should take her medicine more regularly. The more extreme moments, like breakdowns, also feel quite exaggerated in all the wrong ways.
Lead actress Isabella Merced carries much of the film on her shoulders, and it is a refreshing surprise to see how well she handles it. Merced’s filmography doesn’t exactly inspire confidence, but this script gives her a much meatier role than she’s had the opportunity for in the past. She’s lovable, funny, and empathetic, making it incredibly easy to root for her success.
Merced is also surrounded by a talented supporting cast, many of whom give very strong performances. The biggest standout is Cree, who is delightful as the protagonist’s best friend. Felix Mallard is also super charming as the love interest. In terms of adult actors, Judy Reyes and J. Smith-Cameron both get several scenes in which they shine, but they don’t have enough screen time to make a massive impact.
Turtles All the Way Down is rooted in familiar tropes of the teen romance genre, but this coming-of-age tale is infused with such a distinct personality thanks to the work of director Hannah Marks and the lead performance by Isabella Merced. Although it’s far from perfect, there’s more than enough here to make this worth a recommendation even beyond the core audience of teenagers.
Turtles All the Way Down streams on Max beginning May 2.
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Rating: 8/10
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