1
DramaHeroine
The Pages of a Fairytale
This review may contain spoilers
This movie is incredibly goofy and sometimes dramatic but also unexpectedly charming in it's style and execution. The young actors give stellar performances, and the story has a genuine heart at the center to ground it's more over-the-top elements.
The main conceit of the film, May's condition, is very well handled. While completely made up and unbelievable, it's very well used to explore the nuances of not fitting in or being unable to connect with your peers and feeling heartbreakingly alone and different. And May herself is extremely likable, so you automatically feel for her and the struggles she faces.
Pong, while extremely likable and well-written in his own right, is unfortunately also the source of my least favorite aspect of this film, as the first half has a number of plot points (of his own making) involving some unnecessarily perverted and degrading humor. I very much could have done without that or even have been willing to accept it if the behavior had been followed up by some form of appropriate consequences or punishment. And while some of the characters are rightfully angered by it, and he does attempt to write the wrongs, it's never fully dealt with, and I didn't like that. (Especially in a film aimed at a young audience that is extremely impressionable.)
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the film is the animation. You don't expect it when it first shows up, but it quickly becomes a vital addition to the storytelling. The animated sequences are not only superbly done, they're also incredibly creative and a lot of fun and serve as an important tool for exploring our characters and who they are. I loved seeing Pong's imaginative stories come to life on screen (minus the perverted parts).
And I guess my final thought about this film is wow, does the last third of the movie have a lot of twists. They're well-utilized and heartfelt, but they also sorta keep coming, and you start to wonder if they're ever gonna stop.
So yeah, this movie is really cute and enjoyable, and I kind of want to immediately watch it again, lol.
The main conceit of the film, May's condition, is very well handled. While completely made up and unbelievable, it's very well used to explore the nuances of not fitting in or being unable to connect with your peers and feeling heartbreakingly alone and different. And May herself is extremely likable, so you automatically feel for her and the struggles she faces.
Pong, while extremely likable and well-written in his own right, is unfortunately also the source of my least favorite aspect of this film, as the first half has a number of plot points (of his own making) involving some unnecessarily perverted and degrading humor. I very much could have done without that or even have been willing to accept it if the behavior had been followed up by some form of appropriate consequences or punishment. And while some of the characters are rightfully angered by it, and he does attempt to write the wrongs, it's never fully dealt with, and I didn't like that. (Especially in a film aimed at a young audience that is extremely impressionable.)
Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the film is the animation. You don't expect it when it first shows up, but it quickly becomes a vital addition to the storytelling. The animated sequences are not only superbly done, they're also incredibly creative and a lot of fun and serve as an important tool for exploring our characters and who they are. I loved seeing Pong's imaginative stories come to life on screen (minus the perverted parts).
And I guess my final thought about this film is wow, does the last third of the movie have a lot of twists. They're well-utilized and heartfelt, but they also sorta keep coming, and you start to wonder if they're ever gonna stop.
So yeah, this movie is really cute and enjoyable, and I kind of want to immediately watch it again, lol.
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