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Paper Towns (2015), PG-13, ★★★

Cara Delevingne and Nat Wolff talking at Cost-Co.
A friend comes along and makes an impression on you that could last a brief time or a lifetime. Let me emphasize: this person could probably turn your life around in a positive way. Sometimes, a group of friends would like to hang out with you when going to the movies, out for a drink, on a road trip and probably studying with them. But, there could be that one person that can catch a twinkle in your eye and may be have a chance to make your relationship more than just being friends. It could be something special. Even though there is not much logic provided into its story, this coming-of-age tale inspires enough imagination and complexity into its main characters to fully appreciate the movie.

Quentin (Nat Wolff) narrates how Margo (Cara Delevingne) changed her life as she is adventurous, popular and can do whatever she likes. He has had a huge crush on her since the day she and her family moved next door. However, they were not as close friends as they used to be back in the day when they were younger, but, one day, Margo climbs and crawls through Quentin's window and asks to borrow his car as her parents keep the keys on guard so they use Quentin's mom's car to drive to Cost-Co.

Quentin and Margo are their own little adventure as Margo plots revenge on some people as she buys a raw catfish, petroleum jelly, Saran Wrap, spray paint, a steering wheel lock and Nair. Her first and prominent target is Jase (Griffin Freeman) as he is cheating on her with one of her best friends, Becca (Caitlin Carver), so they go to their house as she ruins Jase's car and calls Becca's dead to inform that her daughter and Jase are having sex in his basement. The joke is on Jase as he rushes out of the house naked as Margo makes fun of him and his "microscopic penis".

After the whole night of adventure and a quiet conversation with Margo at an office building, Quentin is greeted by the police, her parents and his parents as Margo has been gone for a few days and they ask him when was the last time he has seen Margo. He replies Wednesday night and Margo's parents decline to file a report because she has run away five times before and she has 18, having the liberty to do whatever she wants to do. But, Margo leaves clues for her loved ones (mainly her sister) to find her. So with the help of his friends, Ben and Radar (Austin Abrams and Justin Smith) and a few others, Quentin and his friends go on off on a road trip to find her.

It's Margo or is it? Hmmm...
When I watched this Paper Towns trailer in the theaters, I was sort of confused and disgusted by the material that was in the movie because I don't know how to categorize the film as a coming-of-age movie or a love story. Well, this is a better coming-of-age movie than a love story because it is not technically a love story per se as Delevingne disappears for most of the movie. But, the movie is a better road movie because Quentin and his friends are engaging in a memorable road trip before prom and graduation. It is like putting some pictures from the trip in a photo album and it is quite entertaining seeing those characters interact with one another. It's also an exciting mystery as what kind of clues Margo leaves.

Nat Wolff is a confident actor who is appealing as he brings some charisma and nuance to his character as he is "obsessed" with Margo. It is because he is not as comfortable with anyone else than herself and he identifies with her quite well. Cara Delevingne does not give a bad performance but it is not as strong as Shailene Woodley's from the overrated The Fault in Our Stars. She is quite confident but sometimes a bit awkward when she recites some of the over-the-top dialogue. Wolff has good chemistry with Delevingne in their quiet moments in its first act. Wolff's interaction with the actors playing his friends is quite funny than advertised.

Even though its melodrama does provide holes in the journey such as her parents being treated like jerks and Quentin's and his friends do not ask where their children went, it is a fun coming-of-age movie that is sincere and provide confident performances. The climax and ending with leave certain viewers dismayed but I was sold by the psychology of why Quentin is searching for Margo. However, the movie does end a bit arbitrarily and conventionally my taste. But, the movie is an appreciation to people trying or wanting to identify with other people but realizing that the true reality is in front of you the whole time and have to face it. It is a solid movie and I liked it enough.

***

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