“All you can be in is love” — trust John Green to deliver one of the most wholesome and fulfilling coming-of-age movies yet again! Enriched with witty storytelling, unexpected subplots, and distinctive characters, Turtles All The Way Down is one of the most unique movies about love. The storyline takes viewers on a cathartic journey aboard a canoe as it dives into important themes like mental health, first love, and true friendship. While the protagonist’s life is not smooth sailing in the least, the movie relays a strong message on how one’s life doesn’t have to be perfect to be fulfilling. The following article contains spoilers!
Adapted from Green’s book of the same name, Turtles All the Way Down premiered on Max on May 2, 2024. The film stars Isabela Merced as Aza, a 16-year-old with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It takes viewers through her journey of dealing with a distressing mental illness while navigating relationships and the nuances of being a teenager. The movie, directed by Hannah Marks, features a fabulous screenplay by Elizabeth Berger and Isaac Aptaker. From the color schemes and scene transitions to the diverse cast, the film portrays love in its purest forms. An ideal watch on a girls’ movie night or while cuddling up on the couch with your boyfriend, here’s why this movie gets viewers in all the feels!
Turtles All the Way Down Addresses How It Can Be Difficult To Love Oneself While Battling Mental Health Issues
In an age where conversations about mental health and therapy take precedence, Turtles All The Way Down is a step in the right direction to push this healthy discourse forward. It addresses the complex layers that exist while dealing with mental distress and the profound effects it can have on one’s life. Viewers witness Aza questioning whether she’d ever be capable of living a “normal” life as she constantly second-guesses herself while reaching for opportunities that come her way. One of the most remarkable aspects of the film is its ability to put viewers in Aza’s shoes as they, too, experience the anxiety-inducing nature of OCD in woeful moments of the screenplay.
Aza grows frustrated despite her best efforts to improve, and while it is excruciating, it is also a harsh reality. There are scenes where she is seen mercilessly self-deprecating, which many viewers find relatable. The movie takes a realistic route as it doesn’t try to solve Aza’s issues. Instead, it runs on the narrative that if someone is dealing with a mental health problem, sometimes there is no cure— they must live with it and seek the best course of action that doesn’t disrupt their life.
Aza and Daisy’s Friendship Is the Real Love Story That Deserves Recognition
A classic example of an extrovert-introvert friendship, Aza and Daisy (Cree Cicchino) have the most adorable yin-yang dynamic. Being an ideal best friend, Daisy always has Aza’s back, be it starting random conversations to distract her from her spiraling thoughts or to hype her up to pursue the cute boy. She goes out of her way to make Aza comfortable and is arguably the only person who makes her feel even remotely normal. Sometimes, people just need a best friend who reminds them how special they are to get them out of dark places in their heads and, of course, to spill the tea on boys!
But as is custom with every true friendship, they encounter a rough — and bloody — patch, which ultimately strengthens their bond. The duo made questionable and vaguely unethical decisions in their relationship, but their ability to forgive and forget sets their love in stone. The part where Aza pushes herself out of her comfort zone and prioritizes her friendship with Daisy over her romantic pursuits is infinitely refreshing!
Davis Pickett Is the Greenest Flag Worthy of Being One’s First Love
There is just something special about the men written by John Green — fans are still fawning over Augustus Waters from The Fault In Our Stars! So it’s no surprise that Davis Pickett (Felix Mallard) is the sheer embodiment of the most adorable green flag to have ever graced our screens. With a soft demeanor and a symphonic deep voice, the way his eyes gaze deeply at Aza shows how smitten he is with her.
From the moment he first looks at her to every glance thereafter, he requires no words to convey his intentions — although he does so eloquently. Scenes where he remembered her favorite drink from when they were kids and the intent with which he listens to every word she says highlight his thoughtfulness and care for Aza. Viewers simply can’t get enough of his charming and attentive demeanor!
What really knocked it out of the park was when Davis flew Aza on a private jet to Northwestern to ease her anxiety about applying there. Not to mention, watching the shy teenager attempt to compliment her butt over text was a funny and endearing moment! He believes in her, sees her for who she is, and respects her journey. He also delivered the most romantic line from the movie that crushed our hearts in a million pieces: “No one ever says goodbye unless they want to see you again.” Cue the tissues!
It Highlights the Fact That Parental Love Isn’t Always Perfect, but It’s Most Definitely Unconditional
The movie initially portrays an apparent disconnect between Aza and her mom (Judy Reyes), almost like two strangers living under the same roof. They both have unhealed wounds as they deal with the loss of her father, which inevitably leaves a gap in their relationship. Throughout the movie, Aza believes that her mother doesn’t understand her struggles, but the moment she gets hospitalized is an eye-opener. Mental health issues often reveal the existence of a generational gap. Although it takes time for parents to fully comprehend it, they tend to come around eventually.
When Aza’s mother calls her therapist, Dr.Singh (Poorna Jagannathan), when she doesn’t know what to do, it portrays immense growth and consideration. It is her mother’s unconditional love that led her to make an effort to go to great lengths to try and understand Aza’s distress — even though it was initially an alien concept to her. While her mom said she’s proud of Aza because she never gives up, as viewers, one can laud her mom for trying her best to empathize and acknowledge her daughter’s struggles rather than brush them off.
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