The Map That Leads to You

Synopsis: The film follows Heather (Cline), a young woman setting off on an adventure across Europe with her best friends (Sofia Wylie & Madison Thompson) before settling into her perfectly planned life. When she crosses paths with Jack (Apa).  

Movie Review:

"The Map That Leads to You," directed by Lasse Hallström and based on the well-known young adult novel of the same name, is a new romantic drama that unfortunately falls into the category of somewhat dull, tedious, and predictable young adult films I have encountered in quite some time. This is despite the presence of two outstanding lead performances that deliver some commendable emotional moments. Madelyn Cline portrays a recent college graduate who is compelled to adhere to her meticulously planned life. She is undoubtedly the highlight of this film, embodying a sweet, relatable, beautiful, and charming character that makes it easy to fall in love with her. KJ Apa plays Jack, the man she unexpectedly falls for, and he also delivers a strong performance as a free-spirited individual. His charm and charisma make him likable. The chemistry between these two characters is remarkable and enchanting, which made me genuinely hope for the longevity of their relationship. However, my primary concern with this film is that, although I appreciated the romance, the writing and the fairy-tale aspects of the story often detracted from the experience, rendering it unrealistic at times and causing me to roll my eyes throughout much of the movie. Two of her closest friends, portrayed by Sofia Wylie (Connie) and Madison Thompson (Amy), provide decent performances but are relegated to the role of the stereotypical best friends of the main character. Josh Lucas, who plays Heather's father, is underutilized and has little to contribute beyond offering generic parental advice. Overall, "The Map That Leads to You" is a tedious, self-indulgent romantic drama that did not resonate with me. I would rate it 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Director: Lase Hallstrom 

Cast: Madelyn Cline, K.J. Apa, Madison Thompson, Orlando Norman, Karl-El Santos, JT Esposito, Marilyn Cutts and Josh Lucas 

Runtime: 96 Minutes