Movie Review: The Fault in Our Stars

Movie Review: The Fault in Our Stars (advanced screening) - Hazel and Gus are two extraordinary teenagers who share an acerbic wit, a disdain for the conventional, and a love that sweeps them -- and us – on an unforgettable journey. Their relationship is all the more miraculous, given that they met and fell in love at a cancer support group. THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, based upon the number-one bestselling novel by John Green, explores the funny, thrilling and tragic business of being alive and in love. From The Fault In Our Stars Facebook

Thanks to the wonderful, wonderful people at Penguin UK, I was invited to attend an advanced screening of The Fault in Our Stars on Wednesday 11th June 2014. When I read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, the book the movie is based on, I loved it, and cried huge amounts, but didn't feel it lived up to the hype surrounding it. I knew the movie was going to be beautiful - based on a book like that, how could it not be? - and I'd heard a lot about people raving about the movie in the US (where it came out on 9th June), but I was a little wary that, again, I'd feel slightly let down. I am beyond thrilled to say that The Fault in Our Stars movie is absolutely amazing!

The movie stuck to the book incredibly well. Stayed so, so true to the story. This movie is one of the best book-to-movie adaptations I've seen - I can promise you nothing important is left out. At all. There were a few scenes from the book I liked that were absent, or a few things changed, but nothing major, nothing pivotal that's going to ruin it for everyone who's read the book. Really, I'm not sure it was possible to not stick closely to the book. With as many fans as The Fault in Our Stars has, they would be upsetting their target audience if they changed too much. But I am surprised at just how well they stayed true to the story. I really can't see why any fans of the book would have a problem with this movie. It's incredible.

The chemistry between Shailene Woodley, who played Hazel, and Ansel Elgort, who played Augustus, was palpable. Seriously, it's just woah. When there are those silences where Augustus is just smiling at Hazel, and she gets a little embarrassed and looks away smiling... yeah. It's kind of difficult not to melt and just fallin love a little bit with Elgort, because you're dying over how goddamn cute it is! It's not sickeningly sweet or anything, it's beautiful. Oh my god, it was beautiful. Their feelings for each other were so believable! They are both stunning actors.

It's been a while since I read the book, so, although I remembered the plot for the most part, the movies was a lot funnier than I expected. Ansel Elgort is the perfect Augustus. I know he was given a script and was directed, but that guy has genius comic timing, and can deliver a line faultessly. I never do the whole "Who would I imagine playing so-and-so in a movie?" thing, so I never really thought about who I'd want in the cast before the cast was chosen. However, I can't imagine anyone else doing as stellar a job with Augustus as Elgort did. So completely believable - he is Augustus!

I can't review the movie of a book that had tears running down my face without mentioning whether the book had the same affect or not. The movie had me SOBBING LIKE A BABY! So much so, I got a headache from all the crying. I probably cried more for the movie than I did the book, but I think that's more to do with seeing it all played out in front of me. Literally shaking in my seat while wracked with sobs and trying to keep myself silent. This part of the storyline is also done exceptionally well. And I wasn't the only one crying; there were sniffles coming from every corner of the cinema, and the occassionally heard sob. It was excuciating, and I loved it!

Absolutely brilliant movie! I will be going to see it again to take my Mum, and I'll definitely be getting the DVD. If you're a fan of the book - even if you're not - this is one movie you should definitely book tickets for this Summer, once it's released on 19th June 2014. Don't forget the tissues!



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