Review of The Fault in Our Stars (2014) by Vincenttaylor11 — 17 Oct 2016

#1 Best-selling novel, The Fault in Our Stars, written by John Green, was turned into a cinematic success in June of 2014. This beautifully written, yet agonizing story has a superior storyline, as well as a thought provoking plot seen throughout the film. The intriguing love story has its ups and downs, in which the film director has done a phenomenal job at showing, while keeping the audience at the edge of their seats begging to know more. (Spoiler Alert!).

Hazel Grace Lancaster, played by Shailene Woodley, is perceived as an outcast. A teenage girl who longs to live a life to the fullest but struggles to do so. As a thirteen year old, Hazel was diagnosed with cancer, forcing her to lug around a oxygen tank wherever she goes. When she meets Augustus (Gus) Waters, played by Ansel Elgort, at a cancer support group she instantly falls in love. Augustus is an outspoken seventeen year old who wishes to be remembered on the Earth but also jokes here and there about his prosthetic leg (in which he lost due to cancer). Throughout their journey of true love, it is clear to the audience that happily ever after isn’t an option for this pair of teenagers. The couple -and us- are taken on an emotional roller coaster filled with the ups and downs of cancer, love, and ultimately, living.

Although the film is based on the novel, the words don’t seem to fit in with the generation. As an audience member, the film seemed thrown together and very unrealistic (nobody travels across the world to meet their favorite author, just to receive the answers to the final questions of the book). Similar to the romantic film We Got Mail, it lacks the flair and originality everybody is wanting in a new film. The teenagers have their own “forever and always” like every romantic film has. “Okay” is used to make the romance stronger, yet it takes away the realistic romance the author, John Green, does exceptionally well at making clear in the novel. Although based on the novel, the film seemed to be a mirror image with no sudden surprises or unexpected twists in the plot, making it seem very plain and lacking the flair that romantic films such as The Notebook and Dear John have.

While other times, the romantic sayings such as “I fell in love like you fall asleep, slowly then all at once,” and “perhaps okay will be our always,“ precisely placed into scenes make the audience long for a happily ever after for the two love struck teenagers. During the emotional scenes, the silence was always filled with pop alternative music (“All I Want” -Kodaline), which formed a lump in your throat causing it to swell up as the scene intensifies. Throughout the entire film, you are left to question the meaning of the characters decisions, one thing I loved about John Green’s storyline. As a couple they learn “the world is not a wish granting factory,” something that may seem irrelevant right away but serves a purpose throughout the couples journey. Many lessons are taught to this young group of people, many of which make the audience question the amount of things they have taken for granted in their lives. Towards the end of the film, all of the questions wandering around in your head are answered in the most unexpected way.

This beautiful cinematic success focuses on romance, the struggle of wanting to be a normal teenager, as well as worrying about the oblivion, something that Gus does constantly. Throughout the journey of the two teenagers’ love story, many lessons are learned and many hearts are broken. Just like Hazel’s favorite book An Imperial Affliction stated “Pain demands to be felt.” It is safe to say this film left the audience heartbroken.