Director: Josh Boone
Writer: Scott Neustadter, Michael H. Weber (Novel by John Green)
Genre: Romantic Drama
Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, Willem Dafoe
Runtime: 126 minutes
Language: English
Box Office: $307.2 million (on a $12 million budget)
Based on: The Fault in Our Stars (novel by John Green in 2012)
Overview
The Fault in Our Stars is a touching and inspiring romantic drama revolving around the love two teenage cancer patients share as they try to find meaning in life. It was directed by Josh Boone Stuck in Love, The New Mutants) who previously has done other great works. As expected, this film is based on the bestselling novel written by John Green which later on became a global sensation due to its emotional portrayal of young love, humor, and illness. Never fails to deliver with Shailene Woodley (Divergent, Big Little Lies) and Ansel Elgort (Baby Driver) deeply moving performances, the film is one of the most successful young adult book to film adaptations of all time.
Plot Summary
Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley) is a 16-year-old girl with a thyroid cancer that has metastasized into her lungs, forcing her to carry around an oxygen tank. She considers herself witty and extremely self-reflective, but she is rather depressed because she understands her time is extremely limited.
Her mother Frannie (Laura Dern), on the other hand, is supportive and pushes her to participate in a cancer support group, where she happens to meet Augustus “Gus” Waters (Ansel Elgort)—a confident, ostentatious 17-year-old who happens to be an ampute and optimistic, which seems rational for someone who lost a leg to an osteosarcoma. Gus is fascinated by Hazel from their first meeting. Although she is initially unresponsive, they eventually bond over their shared sense of humor, interests in reading, and philosophical thinking.
Gus reads Hazel’s favorite novel, An Imperial Affliction, a book about a girl with cancer that abruptly ends without answering important questions. In a quest to assist Hazel, Gus books a trip to Amsterdam with her to speak to the author of the book, Peter Van Houten (Willem Dafoe). However, the trip becomes further improve when Van Houten turns out to be reluctant and would provide nothing but disdain regardless of the question.
Regardless of the let down, Hazel and Gus still manage to have a romantic and unforgettable experience in Amsterdam, such as their first kiss at the Anne Frank House. However, their ecstasy is soon ruined when Gus’s emotional bombshell reveals that his cancer has come back and is terminal.
Shifting now from the book to movie adaptation, Hazel reflects on her time spent alongside Gus during his life and eventual passing. One of the most heartstring-tugging moments in the film occurs when Gus addresses Hazel \u000b— along with their friend Isaac (Nat Wolff) — and asks them to recite their eulogies while he’s still alive. Trying to express just how much he means to her, she ultimately resorts to just saying:
“You gave me a forever within the numbered days.”
Later on, after Gus dies, Hazel receives a letter from Van Houten, where he told her that Gus had previously reached out, requesting Van to provide a eulogy for Hazel. The film ends with Gus’s final words echoing in Hazel’s ears as she reads:
“You don’t get to choose if you get hurt in this world… but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices. I hope she likes hers.”
With a faint smile, Hazel whispers, “I do.”
Breifly echoing as a conclusion, here are the underlying themes in this touching story, as well as the symbols it utilizes.
- Love & Mortality
The Fault in Our Stars tackles a broader consensus on love and finding meaning in death. The case of Gus and Hazel illustrates this statement with their love as well as the relationship’s time constraint which ultimately gives it purpose.
- The Reality of Illness
The Fault in Our Stars differs from other romance films because it does not glamorize sickness. It depicts the emotional and physical experiences associated with cancer, illustrating the burden of living with it as well as the beauty in battling it.
- Metaphors & Symbolism
Augustus’s Unlit Cigarette: Gus places a cigarette in his mouth without lighting it, referring to it as ‘a metaphor: you put the killing thing right between your teeth, but you don’t give it the power to do its killing’ instead. This suggests that he believes he has some control over death but in actuality, he is helpless to change his reality.
An Imperial Affliction: The book which Hazel adores and is based on her life, is a novel that proposes a failure to provide sufficient resolution, an ending which she worries she will suffer from as well.
The Stars: The title is inspired by, “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves” which Shakespeare said in his play about Julius Caesar. Unlike Hazel and Gus who have the ‘freedom’ to fulfil their predetermined destiny, they are able to see the meaning of life in their circumstances.
Performances and Character Assessment
Shailene Woodley as Hazel Grace Lancaster
Woodley’s portrayal is perhaps the most paramount performance of her career and she captures Hazel’s wit, intelligence, and emotional fragility perfectly. Woodley wonderfully captures the balance between Hazel’s cynicism and profound need for love and tenderness.
Ansel Elgort as Augustus Waters
Elgort’s Gus is very charming; he is also playful and very affectionate. Some critics thought that he was overly idealistic, but Elgort manages to bring a lot of emotion and affection to the character, which makes his tragic story even more heartbreaking.
Nat Wolff as Isaac
Isaac, Gus’s best friend, brings his own set of problems and provides comedy relief by slowly going blind as a result of cancer and being heartbroken because his girlfriend left him. His persona does a wonderful job in highlighting the various levels of coping mechanisms people have to deal with loss and suffering.
Laura Dern as Frannie Lancaster
Dern’s portrayal of Hazel’s mother is equally an emotional one that evokes tears. She adopts the persona of tender yet strong parent of a sick child who worries for her child. It is this optimism that starkly contrasts with Hazel’s pessimism and emphasizes the deep-rooted care and sacrifices caregivers have to make.
Willem Dafoe as Peter Van Houten
As the villainous author, Dafoe portrays a bitter and disillusioned figure whose grief has turned him into a monster. Although unsympathetic, his role emphasizes that not all find meaning in their pain, ironically making the struggle of Hazel and Gus even more motivating.
Critical Reception & Box Office
Rotten Tomatoes: 81% (Critics) / 85% (Audience Score)
Metacritic: 69 (Generally unfavorable reviews)
Box Office: 307.2 million dollars worldwide, on a 12 million dollar budget.
Positive Reviews
✔ Emotional Depth. The film stirred critique as being powerfully and intensely moving but without being contrived.
✔ Strong Performances. Woodley and Elgort’s romance was believable and was made even more so due to their chemistry.
✔ Faithful Adaptation. Fans of John Green’s book appreciated that the many themes and dialogues of the book were included within the film.
Criticisms
❌ Overly Sentimental for Some. Critics who disliked the film did so because they found it overly dramatic, a cliche and tiresome.
❌ Augustus’s Dialogue Through Some Felt Too Perfect. His style of speech felt unrealistic to some, even though he is refreshing in the novel.
Notable Scenes & Most Emotional Moments
- Hazel & Gus’s First “Okay” Exchange
The emotions attached to their last and final use greatly overshadows the phrase’s initial meaning, which further supports the notion that as a couple, the words ”Okay?” and “Okay.” serves as a symbol of everlasting love.
“2. Eulogies Scene”
Using Hazel and Isaac to pre-read his Eulogy Gus moves the audience and indeed helps them grieve a little into the future.
“3 Amsterdam Kiss”
The first kiss in front of the Anne Frank House is celebrated by strangers whose applause serves as a commentary on love and life.
Final Thoughts: Should You Watch It?
✔ For heartwarming romance with emotional depth (Me Before You, A Walk to Remember)
✔ For sentimental coming-of-age films
✔ For book adaptations
❌ Avoid if you do not like:
✖ Films that are emotionally difficult and bittersweet
✖ Drama romance that focuses on diseases
Final Verdict: It Is A Beautiful Remembrance Of A Bittersweet Love.
The Fault In Our Stars is a must-watch for devotion and compassion towards a fused emotionally charged romance drama. It is guaranteed to evoke tears but carries a significant notion behind love, life, and people’s interrelations.