Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Director: Josh Boone
My Rating: 5 Stars
Tomatometer: 80%
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, some sexuality, and brief strong language
Cast: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Willem Dafoe, Natt Wolff, Sam Trammell
Based on the book The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
Synopsis:
Hazel and Gus are two extraordinary teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them – and us – on an unforgettable journey. Their relationship is all the more miraculous, given that they met and fell in love at a cancer support group. THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, based upon the number-one bestselling novel by John Green, explores the funny, thrilling and tragic business of being alive and in love
Trailer:
I went into this movie knowing it would be soul wrecking. I went a week after it opened and had heard only rave reviews from friends.
My reaction as the credits started rolling at the end of the movie:
I really loved pretty much everything about TFiOS. I thought the cast was amazing, the writing mirrored John Green’s brilliance, the pace was good…it was all awesome.
Shailene Woodley is quickly establishing herself as this generation’s star. I loved her in Divergent, and I loved her as Hazel Grace. She is believably sick the entire movie, she is very believably in love with Augustus, her character is extremely dynamic, and her grief at the end is so difficult to watch.
I was originally dubious about the casting for Gus, but now that I’ve seen the movie, I think he was cast perfectly. Ansel Elgort does an amazing job taking us through this roller coaster plot, carefully drawing Hazel out of her anti-social shell and giving her things to live for, while also completely wrecking our souls by the end of the movie.
The two of them together were absolutely adorable, and the whole middle section of the movie was extremely charming and such fun to watch. The movie, like the book, does a great job of having a fun script in between the tragedies. It’s not just continually beating you over the head with sadness (until the end maybe). They just have some really fun conversations.
Nat Wolff was awesome as Isaac, Gus’ friend who has an ocular cancer that, through surgery, loses his eyesight. He’s a humorous character, until one scene where he has a breakdown, and you just feel so bad for him. He’s one of those very lovable side-kicks that doesn’t show up enough in the story. The horrible drunk author Van Houten is played quite humorously and irritatingly by Willem Dafoe, and you just want to punch him.
I think the hardest part to watch was not the end, but the scene with Gus at the gas station. If you’ve seen the movie you know what I’m talking about. I was pretty much full on ugly crying at that point.
I adored the way that they did the text messages. Hazel would pick up her phone, and then drawn thought bubbles would appear next to her head with their conversation. Very fun. The music was cool and indie pop/rock, which I love.
Everything about this movie was excellent. If you’re a fan of the books, you won’t be disappointed.
Be sure to bring a box of tissues.
