The Fault In Our Stars (2014)

The Gist:

Hazel (Shailene Woodley) wants to live a normal life, but the universe has dealt her a cruel blow. Crippled by a form of cancer that has attacked her lungs Hazel is forced to live a sheltered life and regularly attend ‘self-help-groups’ she doesn’t want to be part of by her mother, Frannie (Laura Dern). The only thing she takes solace in is her favourite novel, a story about a young girl with cancer written by Van Houten (Willem Dafoe). Hazel’s life changes forever though when she meets Gus (Ansel Elgort), a young cancer sufferer who encourages Hazel to live her life to the full despite her illness.

The Review:

The Fault In Our Stars is one of those films where they really should be offering audience members a box of tissues to go with their popcorn and Coke. At the same time though director, Josh Boone and his talented screenwriting team have made sure that this isn’t a film that simply becomes a straight-to-video weepy.

Boone should actually be congratulated for the way The Fault In Our Stars turns out. This film had the potential to become a soppy mess but due to the fact that the screenwriters behind it had actually watched Juno a few times they manage to lift the film and make it something special, a film that can be enjoyed by both males and females alike. The witty dialogue and likable teenage characters make this a film that is easy to warm to. The fact that no real life teenager ever speaks the way these kids do doesn’t matter because the quick quips provides just enough laughs to distract the  audience from the fact that they are actually watching a film about three cancer ridden kids who could potentially die at any time.

The sad thing about The Fault In Our Stars is that the few clichés it does contain is actually what trips it up. The screenplay doesn’t really do anything to make the ‘grief’ side of the film different to anything that serious cinema fans wouldn’t have seen a couple of dozen times on the big screen. The relationship between Hazel and her parents is a walking cliché while poor Laura Dern is given some really groan worthy moments to deliver. Then there is the fact that there is a whole European trip to spark a little bit of romance as well which reaches a crescendo at the Anne Frank House… yes something that wouldn’t seem out of place in a Mills & Boon style movie.

While its clichés such as this that hold The Fault In Our Stars back a little the film also makes some brave decisions that certainly takes this further than most Hollywood films. Normally in these kinds of films the ‘hero’ is someone who meets the major characters and offers them wisdom or belief. Here though Hazel’s hero is a drunken, abusive writer who is more likely to burst into a rendition of Swedish hip-hop then he is to tell a young girl what she wants to hear… no matter how sick she is.

With a role like that there is little doubt that Willem Dafoe delivers the standout performance of The Fault In Our Stars. He might only have limited screen time but he steals the show each time he appears, playing a character that you almost wish had a movie of his own. The younger cast members also prove themselves worthy of the magic the script has given them. Shailene Woodley once again proves why she is Hollywood’s ‘it’ girl at the moment. From her dramatic performances in The Descendants to her action packed role in Divergent, it seems like there is nothing that she can’t do at the moment. Here Woodley mixes drama with comedy and the end result is one of the most likable characters you will ever see on screen.

Right by Woodley’s side though is Ansel Elgort, who keen eyed cinema fans will quickly notice played Woodley’s brother in Divergent. Elgort is the big winner out of this film. His heartfelt portrayal of a young cancer patient is enough to win over fans of all ages. His good looks and comedic timing shows he could well be the new Miles Teller and it’s pretty easy to see that this is going to be the film that is going to announce him as the next ‘big’ thing.

The Verdict:

The Fault In Our Stars will make most of the audience cry. Some may feel that they are being manipulated by a filmmaker determined to draw out some tears, but the witty script and good acting certainly suggests that this film has a lot more heart. While it may not go down in history as a classic film it is certainly a lot better than so many of the films that teeny boppers are flocking to these days.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuVjGbncgQE

Certificate: 12A

Director: Josh Boone

Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, Laura Dern, Willem Dafoe

Running Time: 125 minutes

Release Date: 19th June 2014