The Fault In Our Stars [2014]
Directed by: Josh Boone
Written by: Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber; based on the novel by John Green
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, Laura Dern, Willem Dafoe, Mike Birbiglia
It’s not like we needed another movie about smitten teenagers, but the heavily hyped The Fault in Our Stars is an unexpectedly poignant story about two people who found love in a hopeless place. Wait… did I just quote Rihanna?
What I’m trying to say is that it comes as a surprise that the adaptation of a YA novel about two cool, attractive kids with cancer falling in love, texting and traveling to Amsterdam is actually low on the cheese and admirably restrained.
Kudos to writers Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber ([500] Days of Summer), as well as director Josh Boone, for resisting the urge to force tears and actually letting the story and the cast do their work – the underrated and stunningly beautiful Shailene Woodley is superb and almost single-handedly elevates what would be a much less effective picture without her shimmering presence.
Admittedly, a few lines of dialog made the cynic in me cringe a little, but TFIOS is a hip, funny and thoroughly moving film that doesn’t trivialize something as a terminal illness, but instead deals with death with, ironically, an invigorating matter-of-factness.
I am about 2/3 of the way through the book and I can’t decide if I like it or not. Will definitely check out the film though.
LikeLike
I haven’t read TFIOS, but that has happened to me with other books. Well, hope you reach a verdict soon and that you enjoy the movie.
LikeLike
I’m always on the fence about John Green’s books. Everyone else seems to adore them, but I usually end up feeling lukewarm about them. I’ll still give the film a shot, though.
LikeLike
It’s the first I’ve read and it’s readable but I’m failing to see the wow factor.
LikeLike
Haven’t read him yet so can’t comment on that but the movie’s pretty decent.
LikeLike
So jealous about the special screening, Fernando!
My sister made my whole family read the book. Now she’s making us all go see the movie. Thankfully, the book wasn’t half-bad (though it made my mother and sister cry, so they’d beat me for saying that), and the movie seems to be good.
LikeLike
It’s a pretty decent film, and I have to admit my eyes got a little watery.
LikeLike
Nice!!! Oh wow this gives me some hope. I haven’t read the book, but this is exactly the kind of film that could totally be what it apparent is not. Kudos the writers for succeeding in avoiding the swiss!!!!
If it’s the writers of (500) Days of Summer, though, this makes sense. That movie is incredibly written as well.
LikeLike
Yes. It’s not as great as that movie, but you can definitely tell it’s from the same guys.
LikeLike
cant wait to see this one myself
LikeLike
Hope you see it soon!
LikeLike
“It’s not like we needed another movie about smitten teenagers…” It’s not like we need another superhero movie either but they keep makin’em. LOL
I loved this movie. I didn’t find any of it cringe-worthy. Well now that I think about it, there was that moment in the Anne Frank House, but overall a really sweet and wonderful film.
LikeLike
That’s true about the superhero movies, haha.
And yeah, it’s a sweet film but the dialog sometimes wasn’t the best.
LikeLike
Pingback: Halfway thru 2014, the finest films of the year (so far) | Committed to Celluloid