Description: Adapted from the bestselling novel by author John Green, PAPER TOWNS is a coming-of-age story centering on Quentin and his enigmatic neighbor Margo, who loved mysteries so much she became one. After taking him on an all-night adventure through their hometown, Margo suddenly disappears – leaving behind cryptic clues for Quentin to decipher. The search leads Quentin and his quick-witted friends on an exhilarating adventure that is equal parts hilarious and moving. Ultimately, to track down Margo, Quentin must find a deeper understanding of true friendship – and true love.
Director: Jake Schreier
Stars: Nat Wolff, Cara Delevingne
Information from IMDB.
Lynn’s Review
Book: 
Movie:
If you aren’t familiar with the story, Paper Towns is told in three acts. The first act is Quentin and Margo’s one-night adventure to
right a lot of the wrongs. And we are going to wrong some of the rights.
The second act is solving the mystery of Margo running away from home. The third act is the road trip Quentin and his friends take to find Margo.
Act One or the one where Quentin and Margo have an adventure:
In the book, I found Margo to be not a very good friend, sister, or neighbor. She is constantly running away, disappointing her family, and dropping her friends. And Quentin was an adorable nerd. He gets good grades, is going to Duke, and drives the family mini-van. As for the movie, I actually didn’t dislike Margo the character nearly as much as I disliked her book character. She felt more rounded-out. Actions more with a purpose. And Cara Delevingne and her scary eyebrows did a really good job in the role. And Hannah Alligood, who plays young Margo, is strikingly similar to Cara in both looks and behaviors. Nat Wolff was exceptional as Quentin. I really had the impression that Nat was Quentin. Adorkable. Puppy dog brown eyes. Willing to drop whatever he was doing for his friends. The casting of the Paper Towns movie was spot on, in my opinion.
As for the book vs the movie in the first act, I’d vote the book as the winner. There were nine wrongs to be righted. But with the condensed nature of the movie, not all of the rights or the adventures from the evening were covered in the movie. And I missed them.
Act Two or the one where Quentin goes all Mystery Gang and follows Margo’s clues:
In the second act of the book and movie, Margo mysteriously disappears the following day. Rumors begin to fly around school as to where she’s gone and who she’s with. She’s left clues for Quentin to find, a Woody Guthrie poster, a Walt Whitman book, a scrap of paper with an address on it. Quentin and his friends Ben and Radar follow the clues to figure out where Margo might be.
I pick the movie as the winner in Act Two. We learn more about who Quentin is, and what motivates him as a friend. We get to know Ben and Radar. And the condensed story really works well here. I found that the book drags while we follow Quentin tracking down and solving the mysteries. Yes, the clues were more obvious in the movie, but I was ok with that. The pace of the movie moves along more quickly than the book.
Act three or the one where everyone loads into the mini-van and drives 20+ hours:
In the third act of the book and movie, Quentin and his friends jump into the mini-van for an epic road trip to find Margo. It’s 23 hours from Orlando to New York, and Radar has calculated the average driving speed, and the number of pit stops allowed to get to New York, find Margo, and return home in time for prom.
The movie does an excellent job with the classic scenes from the book. The first pit stop has a special guest actor. The scene with Ben and the potty break had the entire theater laughing out loud. I appreciated the changes made to the road trip scenes from the book. Reading about a road trip is one thing. Actually watching it on the big screen is more interesting.
Overall, I found the end of the book to be anti-climatic. But the movie had more a more fulfilling closure. The movie was the one last adventure of that closes out the high school adventures of Quentin and his friends. And overall, I’d pick the movie if you haven’t already read the book. And if you have read the book, the movie is an excellent companion.
What did you think of the book? The movie? Sound off in the comments.
Great review! I just finished the book (it took me forever) and I was wondering whether it was worth watching the movie. I didn’t really enjoy the book, as I found the part where Quentin is looking for Margo to be too long and quite boring. However, I liked the overall message. Maybe I’ll give the movie a try though.
x, Juliet
I can agree with you, Juliet, on the Quentin looking for Margo part. That did take forever in the book. It’s much faster in the movie.
I feel like TFiOS ruined me! I’ve tried a couple other of John’s books and was not impressed. Glad the movie measured up,to the book for you!
Terri M., the Director recently posted…In the Spotlight: Jim C. Hines, author of Fable: Blood of Heroes
Thanks, Terri! And I completely understand your feelings about TFiOS!
I read Paper Towns and it was just okay for me. It does sound like the actress did a good job with Margo. And I’m glad the pacing was better. This wasn’t a movie I was thrilled about, but I will probably watch it eventually.
Cynthia @ Bingeing On Books recently posted…ARC August Update – The Six, The Fall and Legacy of Kings
If you weren’t that excited about the book, Cynthia, wait til the movie comes out on dvd. Maybe you will like it better.
Interesting that you liked the movie more than the book (overall). I felt the same way about The Fault in Our Stars. I liked the book (didn’t love it zealously like so many others but I liked it) but I enjoyed the movie more. I’ve come to realize that John Green just isn’t really my cup of tea. I really didn’t care for Paper Towns (the book) so if I do see this one it will be when it hits Redbox. 😉
Tanya recently posted…That’s What *HE* Said Thursday #04
Good plan, Tanya!
I’ll have to remember that this is one movie to watch, Lynn. I haven’t read Paper Towns yet but it’s in my ‘soon’ pile because my son is a huge fan of John Green and he says Paper Towns is his favorite. It is interesting that the movie’s ending was more fulfilling than the book’s. I don’t think that happens often. 🙂
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…Blog Barrage & Giveaway ~ Her Sinful Angel ~ Felicity Heaton
That’s true, Brandee. There aren’t very many books that are better than the book. And I hope you and your son both enjoy the movie!
I liked both of them. I was sad they didn’t have the Sea World scene but maybe they just wouldn’t let them film it there?
Julie recently posted…Back To School With Special Needs
That was the scene I was missing, too, Julie!