Film Review | The Fault In Our Stars

Being diagnosed with cancer isn’t everything in life – well, at least not for someone who’s dying anyway. Hazel (Shailene Woodley) never saw herself as extraordinary or even slightly special. She’s a teenager, who so happens to have cancer – bummer, but that’s life – her life. But when Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort) comes along, suddenly having cancer isn’t so bad; suddenly there’s a little more living in dying.

The Story

Based on the bestselling novel by John Green, the film is pretty much accurate in terms of plot. For readers, some things like Gus’s ex-girlfriend and extended family members are edited out, but otherwise, everything else that you love about the book is in there.

For those who have never read the book, think of it as an amalgamation of Twilight (minus the vampires and werewolves) and My Sister’s Keeper – so, it’s a tear-jerking cancer story with a slice of romance intertwined. Thus, if you cry easily, take a box of tissues with you (but believe me, it’s NOT at all as tear-jerking as My Sister’s Keeper).

I know a lot of people say that the story is not completely centered on the fact that the characters have cancer, but let’s face it, without the fact they have or have had cancer, they a) would not have met (in the way they did anyway), b) would not have a ‘unique’ story and c) John Green would not have a popular book. Let’s face it, the biggest “cancer perk” of this book-film is the fact that the Romeo and Juliet aspect of this film is cancer. I don’t mean to rant, but truth be told, the story is great because of it’s simplicity – two kids with cancer, they fall in love regardless of their circumstances and they embrace their deal in life, no matter how short it is.

Since the film is so close to the book, I have to say that the reason why I think The Fault In Our Stars works is not at all about the “falling in love” aspect of the book – had Hazel and Augustus been just friends I still this the book would have been great! The greatness of this book comes from the raw nature of how each of the characters you come across, along with their little quirks, deal with the concept of having cancer. As a mother, father, child, friend, author, doctor, stranger – they all come face to face with the question of, “How would you react if you had or knew someone with cancer?” This book answers that question in various ways, which is makes cancer, living and death so profound in its scope. So I urge you to remember that when you watch this film, it is a movie about cancer just as much as it’s a movie about two teenagers falling in love. Cancer is not who they are, it’s what they have – just as much as love in its various kinds.

The Cast

Shailene Woodley unfortunately missed the mark for me in this film. Although her portrayal of Hazel was believable most of the time, I felt she could have done so much more for Hazel in the parts where she was supposed to be quirky and sharp. Woodley’s spritely attitude off-screen should have transpired a little more on-screen in order for her to give Hazel a different level. Hazel, in the novel, knew she was dying, but she knew she was living just as much and lived it as much as she could. Woodley’s portrayal made you think she was going to die ASAP, which is not the case at any point of the story. Since this important to the plot, I thought Woodley fell short.

Ansel Elgort was a great Augustus, he unfortunately overshadowed his leading lady, but in his defense, Gus was a stronger character on the page than that of Hazel. Although Elgort was great and I did think that he and Woodley had incredible chemistry, his overpowering nature did not leave room for others to match his on-screen presence. Kudos to a job well done though! I thought Elgort portrayed Gus accurately.

William Dafoe is another amazing actor who portrayed Van Houten perfectly. He understood the uncanny and unwavering nature of a downtrodden writer who is wallowing in self-pity, and to that I tip my hat to him.

Nat Wolff gets a special mention for being an amazing source of comic relief and for his tremendous portrayal of Isaac. He was funny in all the right parts and just as witty when he needed to be.

Overall I thought the movie was ok. It’s definitely for all you guys and gals who like to cry in a good film. Those of who liked the book will enjoy the film, and those of who (like me) only liked bits and pieces of the book, I don’t recommend seeing the film. Look, unlike Divergent, I have to say you should choose whether to want to read the book or watch the film. Personally, I recommend the book rather than the film, The Fault In Our Stars is one that cannot easily be portrayed on-screen due to the wittiness of Green’s words.

sL Star Rating: ★★

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Rating Support

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