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The Fault in Our Stars | Movie Review

From IMDB: MV5BMjA4NzkxNzc5Ml5BMl5BanBnXkFtZTgwNzQ3OTMxMTE@._V1_SY317_CR0,0,214,317_AL_

Hazel and Gus are two teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them on a journey. Their relationship is all the more miraculous given that Hazel’s other constant companion is an oxygen tank, Gus jokes about his prosthetic leg, and they met and fell in love at a cancer support group.

I’ve seen The Fault in Our Stars twice now, so I think I may be able to form my thoughts into coherent sentences. It was definitely worth seeing twice, just so I could watch it once and fully immerse myself in the life of Hazel and Augustus, and then watch it a second time and notice the finer details.

Where do I start? I should probably first mention that I completely adored the film and would highly recommend it. It’s incredibly accurate when compared to the book, and I love the choices made to portray not just the cancer side of the characters, but their age. Whilst Hazel and Augustus are two extremely mature characters, they are also still teenagers and I loved how precisely this aspect was portrayed.

Shailene Woodley is Hazel Grace Lancaster. I don’t think there could have been a better person for the role, and Woodley was just how I imagined Hazel in my head.

Ansel Elgort also managed to portray Augustus’ pretentiousness perfectly which added hilarity and also familiarity because Elgort’s Augustus was very similar to John Green’s and also the Augustus in my head.

The best performances by far were by Laura Dern and Sam Trammell who played Hazel’s parents. Dern in particular showed such raw emotion that I couldn’t help but tear up. The Fault in Our Stars, to me, felt like it was mostly about the relationships and Hazel’s with her parents was very important and central to the plot – in both the book and the film.

Now for the moment of truth: Did I cry? I did the first time (loads and loads!) but not the second time. I think the second time I was concentrating more on the little things that happened rather than the overall plot.

It’s strange seeing a book you love so much brought to life, but I’m happy to be able to say that The Fault in Our Stars lived up to all of my expectations. I couldn’t have wished for a better adaptation!

Whether you’ve read the book or not (although I definitely advise reading the book!), I think it’s impossible not to find something to love about The Fault in Our Stars and I’m pleased to see so many people talking about it!

 

Have you seen the film, or are you planning on doing so? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!