Turtles All the Way Down, directed by Hannah Marks, stars the outstanding Isabella Merced, Cres Cicchino, and Judy Reyes. This latest film is the product of John Green’s original book of the same name. With a young yet incredible cast, this cult classic book has found its beautiful match on the big screen.
Turtles All the Way Down follows Asa, a teen ridden with OCD just trying to get through high school. Asa often tends to put herself in this stage of constant protection to avoid getting any illness or disease that she is convinced will be her end all. However, this state of weariness is almost always disrupted by her best friend Daisy who is always quick to get them into some sort of trouble. When news of their childhood friend’s family drama gets out, Daisy and Asa are quick to crack the case. Their investigation ultimately leads the pair to none other than Asa’s old crush Davis. As Asa reconnects with Davis, she begins to examine what her life could be like if she allowed herself to actually feel. No matter how hard Asa tries, every step forward is two steps backwards as her OCD is insistent at the back of her mind. Will Asa ever truly get to live her life?
This film is one of the many John Green book-to-film adaptations that have blessed our screens within the last decade. Some of his most notable books to become watchable have been The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska. For most people, when books are adapted into movies there is a concern with attention to plot details and whether they are true to the book. Turtles All the Way Down is not one to disappoint and is honestly very accurate in terms of plot. Marks does an amazing job of portraying the thoughts of Asa as she navigates each situation while battling her OCD through incredible scenes of bacteria that symbolize the infectious nature of the world around Asa. It’s no doubt that this film can truly capture how mental health can play a big factor in socializing and growing up. Green should be more than pleased with how the words from his book translated onto the big screen.
Another great component of Turtles All the Way Down is its soundtrack. The film includes numerous songs from artists such as Billie Eilish, LCD Soundsystem, and Tame Impala. Asa and Daisy even share several moments with the song “Ms. Jackson” by Outkast, serving as an anthem for their long lasting friendship. Overall, the film does an incredible job of incorporating romance, coming of age, and mental health awareness in a fun and cute way. Its so refreshing to see a Latina lead in a film that speaks volume for young girls all over. It’s no surprise that the film has gained positive recognition from fans of the book, with some on Google even saying, “By far the best movie I have ever watched”. The title has also earned its respects as it explores the idea of interconnected relationships and that we are all pillars for one another. This film is beyond incredible and is definitely worth the watch.
