Plot:
Based off of the bestselling novel by John Green of the same name, The Fault in Our Stars follows the star-crossed love story of cancer patients Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley) and Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort).
Review:
The Fault in Our Stars is one of the rare book-to-film adaptations that stays almost completely true to the source material. While obviously things from the book would have to be withheld due to time constraints, the film stays true to the book in the most beautiful ways, down to the finest details, including the seemingly random inclusion of Swedish hip hop song Bomfalleralla and the mention of Sisyphus the hamster, which book fans are sure to appreciate.
Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort flawlessly slip into the characters they portray. There is just the right amount of emotion behind every line, the right amount of sass and sarcasm from Hazel Grace, the right amount of pretentiousness and affection from Gus. The film takes viewers on a roller coaster of emotions from glee to heartbreak, and almost everything in between.
The film’s comedic relief comes in the form of washed-up author Peter Van Houten (Willem Dafoe), who manages to avoid all serious conversations by going off on seemingly-unrelated tangents or simply playing the aforementioned Swedish hip hop music to a confused Hazel and Gus.
While nothing can ever be considered “perfect”, The Fault in Our Stars comes pretty darn close. Don’t forget to bring a box of tissues when you go to see this, you’re going to need them.
Grade: A-
The Fault in Our Stars is in theaters now
