Ansel Elgort (L) and Shailene Woodley (R) playing main characters Augustus Waters and Hazel Lancaster respectively. Image: Twentieth Century Fox
Based on the beloved bestselling young adult fiction by John Green, new film The Fault In Our Stars tells the story of 16-year-old Hazel Lancaster, who can't remember a time when cancer hasn't dictated her every breath (pun intended). While her inevitably looming death doesn't stop her from brandishing a repertoire of cancer wisecracks, it does leave her with books — or specifically, a book — and reality television as her only friends. That is, until, she meets the impossibly charming Augustus Waters, or better known as Gus, who seems to be in full recovery after losing a leg to cancer.
At first glance, The Fault In Our Stars seems to be your typical tragic teen romantic, aimed to assault the tear ducts. While it does attempt to leave no dry eyes in the house, it's also packed with witty characters you can’t help falling in love with. That’s not all that I loved in The Fault In Our Stars; here’s four other things I adored about the movie.
1. It’s all about Shailene Woodley. Like “the” Shailene Woodley
I know, I know, I sound like a starstruck fan — which I am — but hear me out first. Thus far, Shailene has proven that’s she’s incapable of taking a misstep on the big screen, with critically acclaimed The Descendents, indie hit The Spectacular Now and young adult franchise Divergent under her belt. In The Fault In Our Stars, she continues to remind us why we're so in love with her. Even cynics will be powerless to resist Shailene’s captivating performance as Hazel — world-weary yet hopeful, detached yet fragile, and still wielding a wickedly witty sense of humour despite it all — and it all boils down to her extraordinary ability to portray layered emotions. In Shailene's capable hands, Hazel becomes a thoroughly nuanced and incredibly likeable character who makes you feel the laughter through her tears and tears through her laughter.
2. It hurts (but in a really good way)
Don't be fooled; despite the focus on the young lovers starcrossed by terminal illness, this movie is ultimately about living. Particularly, it is about learning to live with pain, even if that pain, as Hazel’s favourite quote says, “demands to be felt”. It is a beautiful sentiment underscored by Hazel’s relationship with her parents, particularly her mother Frannie, played by Laura Dern who portrays the role of mother to a cancer-stricken kid with heart wrenching finesse.
3. It’s surprisingly filled with dark humour
No one goes into a cancer movie expecting to laugh as much as I did during The Fault In Our Stars. Yes, it is an unabashed tearjerker but it also throws around some pretty twisted ‘cancer-tastic’ jokes that will have you laughing through your tears like Hazel does. If that still doesn’t succeed in cracking you up, then maybe Gus’s overly cheesy lines will.
4. It’s real, in a hair-loss-free-chemo kind of way
Make no mistake, this is definitely John Green and Hollywood’s prettified, rose-tinted version of teenage cancer-wrought love. It requires a certain suspension of belief to enjoy but at times, like the tacky first kiss with an applauding audience, it stretches the truth so far, it’s almost hilarious. What it does get right, however, is the very real teenage issues it explores, like self-worth and identity, without oversimplifying or dramatising them. It is those issues Hazel and Gus struggle with that makes them feel endearingly flesh-and-blood and absolutely relatable, despite the at times ridiculously over-the-top writing.
Both fans and non-fans of the book will be pleased with this film adaption that retains most of John Green's likeable characters and wry wit. If nothing else, Shailene's sublime talent will definitely be worth the watching; just remember to bring your tissues.
Catch The Fault In Our Stars in cinemas when it opens in all Singapore theaters on June 19. To book tickets, visit the following websites: Cathay Cineplexeswww.cathaycineplexes.com.sg, Filmgardewww.filmgarde.com.sg, Golden Village www.gv.com.sg and Shaw Theatres www.shaw.sg.