Flash Movie Review: The Fault in Our Stars
It started out as a simple cough, nothing more. The advice given was to push fluids and rest. The cough got deeper, sounding as if it was trying to peel layers of lung up like faded paint chips. Everything that tried to suppress it only seemed to make it stronger. The color of their skin began to fade into the atmosphere around them and their facial expressions softened. Those little creases at the edges of their mouth got shallower and shallower as the eyes sunk further back into their skull. Besides hearing about it in the news, I have heard about people in a relationship who leave it when their significant other becomes ill. It is hard to imagine anything lower in a human being in my opinion. To love someone for life comes with a lot of responsibilities, it takes work; but the rewards enrich and color our experiences with added shades of hues from the palette of life. Unconditional means not subject to any conditions. The only way I know how to love someone is unconditionally. In this romantic drama decide for yourself if the love you see was an unconditional one. Shailene Woodley (The Spectacular Now, Divergent) played Hazel, a teenager whose only close friend was an oxygen tank due to her illness. Wanting to just live an ordinary life, Hazel felt stuck in a support group where she met Gus, played by Ansel Elgort (Divergent, Carrie). Her with her tank and him with his prosthetic leg, they made an odd couple. The major reason this film worked was the chemistry between Shailene and Ansel. Having played brother and sister in their recent movie Divergent, they were outstanding; I believed every word uttered by the two of them. What accentuated their roles was having Laura Dern (Wild at Heart, Tenderness) and Sam Trammell (Autumn in New York, True Blood-TV) play Hazel’s parents Frannie and Michael. Only recently being aware of the acting from Nat Wolf, he was quite good as Gus’ best friend Isaac. There was no getting around the fact the story was a tearjerker. I have not read the book but part of the script seemed to have an extra layer of melodrama, some of it predictable. On the other hand if you know how I rate the films I review, this movie allowed me to enter into the lives of Hazel and Gus, leaving my life behind. I cried like everyone else in the theater and despite my few minor gripes, I loved this film unconditionally.
3 1/2 stars
Posted on June 9, 2014, in Drama and tagged 3 1/2 stars, ansel elgort, drama, laura dern, nat wolff, romance, sam trammell, shailene woodley, support group. Bookmark the permalink. 16 Comments.
Sounds beautiful! Can’t wait to see it
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I agree with you, to jump ship when the going gets tough in terms of health is loathsome!
As for this, I cannot wait for Friday (they pushed our date a week). Fantastic review! I LOVED the book and could highly recommend it, it was truly a thing of beauty, well-written and stunning.
Thanks for the book review and your comments. I would like to hear how the movie and book differ after you see the film.
Hopefully you will know by early next week 😀
I’m seeing this soon. Lets see if it provokes any tears from me!
Okay, you are on the spot now for telling everyone if you were moved or not. Some would say if you have a heart or not, but that did not come from me. Good luck.
I haven’t seen the film yet but the book was amazing. I’m glad to see you gave it 3 1/2 stars. Thanks for the like on my blog by the way.
If you see this movie I would appreciate it if you would stop by to say if the book and film differed. Thanks for your comments and keep up your excellent posts.
Ever since I saw the trailer and Ms Shailene was in it, I instantly want to see this movie. I have not read the book and the movie has not arrived here yet (Malaysia). I have to admit that the reviews that I have read are fairly even, suggesting that it could be up to the taste of the viewer. Well, I liked ‘A Walk To Remember’ so I’d probably fall for this flick as well ..
Due to the title of your site, I cannot imagine you not loving this film. If it will be some time before the film will be shown near you, maybe you should take a vacation or just move? Thanks for coming by to leave your comments and I hope the film comes to you soon.
Great acting.
I agree; it will be interesting to see how they do during the awards season. Thanks for your comment.
Thanks for the review, going to give this one a go. Will take a while to source but will come back with comment. happy movie watching!
It was my pleasure and I hope you get to see this film soon. I would enjoy hearing your take on it, especially if you read the book too. Thanks for stopping by to leave your comments.
I am reposting my comment here from Divergent, to have it on the post with the movie review, too:
Oh my goodness, my daughter had me take her to The Fault in Our Stars at the movie theater when it first came out. There was not a dry eye in the house, I tell you, me included! And she even had me read the book before seeing it! I was all prepared, but… I wasn’t.
I know it, the film did a really number on all of us in the theater.