Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong
When taking a beloved Young Adult Book, the Adaptation has to be pretty damn spot on to not create fan outcry and disappointment on a transition to screen. Thankfully with The Fault in Our Stars the two Writers, Scott Neustandter and Michael H. Weber brought John Green’s Book to life, well at least according to Green himself. This of course does help when they wrote the brilliant 500 Days of Summer and The Spectacular Now. The best way to describe the levels of emotion and brilliance in this movie is to compare it to last year’s Perks of Being a Wallflower which was one of my personal favourites from last year. However, after seeing The Fault in Our Stars, I can say without a doubt it is the best Movie I’ve seen all year.
What makes The Fault in Our Stars such a strong Piece is the clear compelling story of Hazel Grace (Shailene Woodley) and her wonderful Boyfriend, Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort). And what makes their Love Story compelling is the fact that they both have Cancer, Hazel has Thyroid Cancer which later progresses into a Lung Cancer, and Augustus had a Cancer causing him to lose his leg. Despite being at a young age, these Characters are faced with such difficulty and hardship beyond their years and are able to find one other and bring to life on-screen a blossoming relationship. The Film illustrates the difficulties of their complicated love so poignantly that it is is impossible not to be reduced to tears. The timelessness of True Love cannot be defined by age nor can it be destoryed by hardships.
The most wonderful thing about The Fault in Our Stars undoubtedly is its incredible Cast who deliver some of the strongest performances seen on-screen in recent memory. Woodley is absolutely incredible as Hazel, making her Character truly come to life and resonate with the audience in The same goes for Newcomer Elgort’s Character of Augustus, who is the rainbow in the face of the Grim Reaper. Nearly nothing brings him down, and his strong Character is brought to life more than anything he has done in his career thus far. However, the incredibly-talented Nat Wolff who plays Isaac in the Movie does such a great job at providing the comic relief that this Movie much needs so that we can wipe away the tears and catch our breath. He delivers a performance that truly balances the two heart on sleeve performances that Woodley and Elgort both deliver.
The Fault in Our Stars is one of the strongest YA Adaptations made in recent years, and will certainly resonate well within and beyond its intended Audience. The only thing to keep in mind is how much Kleenex you bring, no matter how much it is, it will surely not be enough. It is a breathtaking Film on love and relationships, hardships, Cancer, and making life count every second of every day. Grab a loved one, come armed with Tissues, get to your Local Theatre and go watch this Movie. There is no way you will regret that decision.
20th Century Fox releases The Fault In Our Stars Friday, June 6th 2014.
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