Anyone that has read John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars will know that this is a much-anticipated film, and has a lot to live up to, considering the book is one of the best books to be printed in quite a while.
The Fault in Our Stars tells the story of Hazel (Shailene Woodley), who has cancer. She deals with it by having a wicked sense of humour and seeing it for what it is, an illness that cannot be taken away so she just needs to learn to live with it and her weekly torture of support groups. Her world changes when she meets Gus (Ansel Elgort) at one of this meetings. For the first time ever, he is interested in her story, not her cancer story. Thus begins a great love affair. As clichéd as it seems, the acting from Woodley and Elgort is so believable and honest that it is hard not to get swept along in their new-found love for each other.
What is special about this film is that it does not centre solely on the two main characters; it also focuses on how Hazel’s cancer is affecting those around her. From her father (Sam Trammell) warning Gus that Hazel is still really sick to scenes where Hazel’s parents (Mom is played by Laura Dern) are consoling each other after a hospital appointment, this is an interesting view-point from which to view the story line.
At its very core, The Fault in Our Stars is a story about two teenagers who are in love. They are dealing with all the normal feelings of being a teenager and being in love; they just happen to also have the fairly physical presence of cancer to deal with too, due to the fact that Hazel needs to wear an oxygen mask all the time. There is something special about this story. For me, what makes it even better are the sub plots and the lessons that can be learned from it. Hazel shows incredible strength and determination throughout this film, as does Gus. Also for me, the fact that Gus wants to be “remembered” is something we all strive for, but fail to see that the people who matter most to us will remember us and they are the ones that matter.
Overall The Fault in Our Stars did not disappoint. With its excellent script which allowed for both Woodley and Elgort to shine through, I think this film does John Green’s book justice. One recommendation – bring tissues with you!
[yframe url=’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ItBvH5J6ss’]