As a cinephile, most pictures such as these are too formulaic and way too overdone (at this point) for me. Not to mention that almost each one involves some sort of superhero or villain nowadays, and although I very much enjoy that genre also, I can't tell you enough how pleased I was to find the treasure which is The Map of Tiny Perfect Things. To find, and share with you, that it does so much more, and more powerfully, than what bigger, flashier films try, with such a small footprint, is been beyond delightful.
Kyle Allen steals the show as Mark. His easy chemistry with the screen is magic. Kathryn Newton is a little less fluid in her role as Margaret, especially at the beginning. The small, seldom-seen, supporting cast is tremendous.
As for the tiny perfect things, some indeed are tiny, or perhaps not on the level you or I would consider to be perfect. In fact, a better definition might be: things that makes us smile and think. In any case, the film uses them effectively in that they do indeed bring a smile, and we think; and in fact, we may miss some if we blink. More so, however, they are effective in that we cannot help, at least for a brief time after watching the film, to look for our own.
In closing, this is a rich, yet simple film with deeper undercurrents of love and loss, yes, but more so, beyond being tender and uplifting, it is generous in its message that there are miracles around us every single day, if we just look a little.
