The Fault in Our Stars (2014) – Film Review

Director: Josh Boone
Writers: Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber (screenplay), John Green (book)
Cast: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff
Runtime: 125 min
Rating: PG-13

Unless you have been severely secluded from mainstream media lately, there is no way you could have missed the latest John Green craze the film world has gone into. With another one of his best-selling books, Paper Towns, confirmed to be turned into feature film, his work has garnered a lot of attention that has hyped this particular film to great lengths. With the great expectations of millions of young readers backing the quality of this story, there is certainly something special to be found in this adaptation.

Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley) is a young woman who, since she was very young, has struggled with a very severe form of cancer. Despite the cancer being under control, Hazel still struggles with daily life, a life full of solitary routine. During one of the less than inspiring sessions in the support group her doctor and mother suggest she attends to make new friends , she meets Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort), a young man who despite understanding how unsure Hazel’s destiny is, decides to welcome her into his life. Hazel and Augustus will find comfort, happiness, and love with each other, and together they will embark in a journey which even the most famous of lovers will envy.

Very surprisingly, Shailene Woodley held her own as the heroine of the film. I’ve been skeptical of her abilities in most of her previous films, so I was eager to see what the young actress could make of the role. While Hazel has many qualities that suit Woodley’s acting style very well, she also manages to shine, especially during the film’s more emotionally intense scenes. Elgort is also surprisingly enjoyable. Due to the pretentious nature of his character, he does have somewhat of a rough introduction, but it is undeniable that his character develops well, and in the end it becomes easy to find enjoyment in his quirks. Willem Dafoe made an excellent villain as Peter Van Houten, and although he appears only briefly, he certainly leaves the audience wanting a more detailed explanation of his past.

A lot of the screenplay quotes from the book directly, and the story in the film is quite faithful to the story in its printed version. It could be said that these are the instances in which the script becomes weak, because many of the book’s iconic phrases don’t translate too well onto the screen, and they come across as peculiar and a tad awkward. The rest of the screenplay, however, is solid, and it gives the characters distinctive personalities and believable chemistry. It should also be mentioned that the soundtrack that was chosen for the film is quite enjoyable, and it compliments the youthful and melancholy feeling of the film quite well.

I have to say my expectations for this film were not the highest, as I was also not the biggest fan of the book. However, I decided to forget I had even read the book and just take the film as the big promise it came as: A devastatingly beautiful story of youth, love, pain, and death. And although it wasn’t earth shatteringly great, it certainly didn’t disappoint either. Fans of the book and new audiences alike will find enjoyment in The Fault in Our Stars which, no matter how much people try to deny it, is bound to make most shed at least a tear of sadness, but mostly joy.