‘The Map of Tiny Perfect Things’ shows the beauty of a single day

Posted on February 19, 2021

By MARK VIOLA

The “Groundhog Day” trope, in which someone repeats the same day over and over again, is one of my favorites. There is just so much you can do with the concept, although “Groundhog Day,” the namesake 1993 comedy starring Bill Murray, is, and will likely always be, the best example of it.

Recent examples I’ve seen using this trope include “Edge of Tomorrow,” “Before I Fall” and last year’s “Palm Springs,” which made it on my Top 10 list of films from last year. (“Edge of Tomorrow” also technically made my list for 2014 as part of an Honorable Mention to the summer blockbusters of that year.) Suffice it to say, these movies just work for me.

The newest “Groundhog Day” film to grace us with its presence is “The Map of Tiny Perfect Things,” based on the short story by Lev Grossman, who adapted his own work for the screenplay. Directed by Ian Samuels (“Sierra Burgess Is a Loser”), this movie works because of three basic things. First, it has two likable characters who just happen to have great chemistry together. Second, the movie doesn’t waste time pretending that the audience doesn’t know the ropes in regards to this trope. Third, it is not afraid of being earnest, while never overplaying its hand when it comes to the emotions.

“The Map of Tiny Perfect Things” doesn’t break much new ground in regard to past films using this same trope, but it puts enough new spins on how it tells its story, and gets us to care enough about the characters involved, that I found myself enjoying it from start to finish.

Subscribe to our e-Edition and read the rest of the story. Already a subscriber? Click here to sign in.