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Parents' Guide to

The Map of Tiny Perfect Things

By Jennifer Green, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Familiar but likable teen time loop tale; cursing, drinking.

Movie PG-13 2021 109 minutes
The Map of Tiny Perfect Things Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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age 12+

Based on 2 parent reviews

TheologyMom
TheologyMom Adult
February 23, 2021
age 12+

Refreshing, Clean, SciFi Romance

I watched this movie without my kids. I found it wonderfully refreshing to find a movie that I can enjoy as an adult, without all the crass innuendo that is in so many "grownup" flicks - especially romances. For kids, I would say 12+ to be safe, but it really depends on the kid and parent - I'll detail the few things to be aware of below. First - things I liked: 1. Strong female character who is smart, loyal to family, confident, and not boy crazy. 2. The main character, a teen boy, is kind, in touch with healthy feelings, and becomes even more so throughout the movie. 3. Cool sci-fi plot - a spin on groundhog day - but much purer (safer for kids) than that movie - and the sci fi portion is explored a bit more. 4. The romance is primarily a friendship, and when it does change to a romance, the characters talk about their need to support each other as they go through hard things in life - this seems to be why they choose to be a couple - not to meet sexual desires - they do kiss and hold hands in the end, but there is no indication their physical relationship will go further than that. 5. Many good lessons learned - finding and treasuring the beautiful moments in life, thinking more about others and caring for them, accepting that life will not be perfect, but moving forward anyway. Both teens show love for parents and family from the beginning, and the boy grows in that more. Things to be aware of: 1. a scene or two where the boy talks to his friend, and there is repeated use of the term "getting laid" - but it is in the context of something that hasn't happened and seems like it will never happen - the boy also realizes that this is not really what he wants to spend his time seeking out. 2. The girl's mother dies of cancer and we see her saying good-bye and grieving. 3. One kissing scene, and one almost kissing scene
Mishi1118
Mishi1118 Adult
February 12, 2021
age 12+

Beautiful movie

Even though the concept of time loop is dated but the story line of the movie is really good. From starting of the movie you are very clear about the lead but 30 ish min will change that perspective and broke you heart when the truth is revealed. Something I was very sure that it is going to be like one of those overrated teen romcom but it is much more then that. Must watch if you haven't watched it.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Seventeen-year-old Mark (Kyle Allen) keeps waking up on the same exact day in THE MAP OF TINY PERFECT THINGS. He doesn't know why he's stuck in a time loop, but he's enjoying wasting time, skipping summer school, and doing good deeds around town. One day his repeated routine is interrupted by a girl named Margaret (Kathryn Newton), whom he realizes must also be stuck in the same temporal anomaly. He tracks her down, and they strike up a friendship. They spend their days talking about and seeking meaning in the experience they're living. Mark begins to feel something deeper for Margaret, but she seems to have a secret. Though they aren't fully aware of it, both have something they must learn before they can move on with their lives.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (14 ):

This likable stuck-in-time tale is a young adult Groundhog Day with, perhaps appropriately for its target audience and generation, more soul-searching and fewer laughs. As with other material that has taken on the idea of time standing still (see Palm Springs), the narrative construction of The Map of Tiny Perfect Things is the key to keeping the film from feeling too repetitive. Map does a solid job of avoiding lulls and predictability by unveiling new pieces of information and even alterations to the day along the way. The time anomaly is a pretense for the romance between Mark and Margaret, much like in Groundhog Day, only this time, as in Palm Springs, both characters are stuck in time, and each has something to learn as a part of growing up. The two stars are charming enough to keep the film watchable.

The film has a subtext about what it means to be 17, that in-between place straddling childhood and adulthood. In our youth-obsessed culture, getting frozen at 17 could sound attractive. Mark and Margaret have an ongoing argument over whether they're missing out or whether everyone else is, arguments cutely set in a couple of scenes to the pair playing out relived actions with synchronized/choreographed exactitude or "seize the day" abandon. But they eventually figure out that everything adulthood entails -- even growing old, suffering loss, and more -- is what adds up to a life. Each day is one less day left to live, sure, but also one more day lived, full of experiences, human connections, and moments -- sometimes perfect.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the idea of the time anomaly in The Map of Tiny Perfect Things. What other films have you watched with this central idea? How did this film compare to those?

  • If you were stuck living the same day over and over again, what would you do?

  • How do the characters demonstrate perseverance? Why is this an important character strength?

  • What lessons do Mark and Margaret learn by repeating the same day?

Movie Details

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