Hey everyone! With it being evident that the young adult fantasy/fiction novel genre has become the current “it” thing in Hollywood, I have been greatly enjoying the films made out of these books, even though, sadly, so many of the movies have not necessarily ended up being the hits I would have expected them to be. I would normally chalk this up to over-saturation of the market, but I think there’s been enough diversity among the offerings to date that it still perplexes me why certain ones have become SO huge in film form (the “Twilight“, “Harry Potter“, and “Hunger Games” franchises, to some extent the “Percy Jackson” films, plus now “Divergent“), whilst other equally (in my opinion, mind you) engaging and equally best selling stories failed at the box office (“I Am Number Four“, “Beautiful Creatures“, “The Host“, “The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones“). And there are even the yet to be released 2014 films “The Maze Runner” and “The Giver“.
However, I digress, as I am now wanting to present my review of another book-based film, this time a young adult indie drama (that was popular enough in novel form to garner a wide release in film), executed with AMAZING potency (and also because I am keeping a promise to a girl and fellow film fan named Katelynn to get this particular film seen and review written THIS weekend)….I give you “The Fault In Our Stars”.
Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by John Green, and directed by Josh Boone (“Stuck In Love“), we find a heart-warming, but equally heart-wrenching, tale about Hazel Grace Lancaster (the ethereal and AMAZING Shailene Woodley), a teen girl whose outlook on life is slightly stilted, if not unconventional (hence her rather cynical, at least biting, wit) as she has an unfortunate reality to deal with….cancer. An oxygen tank has been her closest companion ever since complications occurred when she was younger (which we see more detail about, but this is the normal “NO SPOILERS!” zone, so…), and so having learned to deal with the circumstances the best she can, Hazel goes through the motions of treatments, doctors visits, and most annoyingly for her, a support group lead by a decidedly eccentric individual and fellow cancer battler Patrick (Mike Birbiglia) who holds meetings at the local Episcopal church. Hazel’s mom, Frannie (Laura Dern) only wants Hazel to meet new friends while her father Michael (Sam Trammell) deals with his own struggles about his daughter’s condition. However, it is at one such support group meeting that Hazel meets Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort), a rather self-assured 18-year old who also bears the scars of his fight with cancer, but has apparently overcome it. His connection with Hazel is virtually immediate, even though she initially turns it away, especially when she verbally (and somewhat unceremoniously, shoots down a notion he has about what he fears in life during the sharing session at the group. Ultimately, this only causes him to pursue her more, and soon, the two embark on a whirlwind friendship/relationship, giving them the chance to open up about their struggles with cancer, life philosophies, and to just enjoy the beauty of a newly discovered sense of hope in the friendship and growing affections they have, even though Hazel is still hesitant even in the face of Augustus’ obvious feelings towards her. As Augustus goes deeper into Hazel’s world, their mutual interest in an author Hazel adores, Peter Van Houton (Willem Dafoe), which causes Augustus to bring about a trip overseas that acts as a catalyst for their romance to bloom even more. In the midst of all of this unfolding, there is the intermittent (but no less important) presence of Isaac (Nat Wolff), whose battle with ocular cancer has already claimed one eye and threatens to take the other. Add a broken relationship in HIS life to the mix (and a heartbreaking, yet ultimately hilarious, series of moments he ends up involved in with Hazel and Augustus, plus another equally hilarious scene later on involving eggs and a certain vehicle), and it becomes a truly incredible story of overcoming obstacles, being willing to take that chance on love even when it seems doomed or beset by circumstances either of them cannot control, moving forward from loss, and yet being willing to open up to the possibilities in life EVEN in the face of death itself. No more details, folks, as it would give away too much, but trust me when I say….GO watch this film, because this is a story actually WORTH seeing get fleshed out. And please remember the tissues as well.
“The Fault In Our Stars” was already high on my list after having read the book earlier this year, but seeing the film made my love for it grow to heights I didn’t even expect. The film is truly directed well in that the story is written and acted for maximum emotional impact without falling into cheesiness, overacting, or melodramatic overkill. Add to that a very apropos soundtrack and you have a beautiful combination that hits you right where it’s intended to. Now, to say Shailene Woodley owned this role would be a REAL understatement….she flat out NAILS this character to a “T”…bringing out every possible emotion with realistic depth, you cannot help but experience everything she does. Despite playing a teen, Woodley delivers such a seasoned performance as Hazel, and for someone her age to take on this deep of a character with such precision….it continues to blow my mind. And this is not to take anything away from her main co-star Ansel Elgort, who himself also delivers us a believable Augustus, along with the solid supporting turns by Dern, Trammell, Wolff, and Dafoe. But honestly, this IS Shailene’s film through and through and simply…WOW!! Again, the movie was never pretentious or overacted, or ever trying to just force emotional response….it tells this story with all the gritty truths of young people having to deal with harsh reality in cancer and the cynical attitudes that can come with it, but as I stated above, it also shows that there IS hope in it all. But, I cried multiple times (along with everyone else in the theater) and I would be lying if I didn’t say this is bittersweet material. Read the book, see the film, and revel in one of the BEST films of 2014 so far…HANDS DOWN!
As always, this is all for YOUR consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
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