For those who have yet to be swept up in the phenomenon that is author John Green’s teen-centered tearjerker “The Fault in Our Stars”, the premise is simple, sweet and terribly depressing. Two teens, Hazel and Augustus, (Shailene Woodley, “The Spectacular Now” and Ansel Elgort, “Carrie”) fall in love despite the fact that each of them is facing terminal cancer. Throughout the course of the story, they face impending mortality by each other’s side, culminating in a trip to Amsterdam despite the warnings of Hazel’s doctors.
Green’s novel developed a huge cult following since publication in 2012, mostly among teenage girls, but is widely respected elsewhere. Fans of the novel will be quite satisfied with Director Josh Boone’s film adaptation, as it follows the book nearly word for word. The plot never strays from the novel’s, and, though it would be impossible to include all details that the book included, no major events are left out.
Woodley is stunning, if not unrecognizable, as Hazel, able to pull off being a 16-year-old cancer patient with a seeming comfort despite being 22. Her exhaustion and emotion is palpable and heartwrenching.
Paired with anyone else, Elgort, a relative newcomer to the film industry, would have been the star of this film, but he is overshadowed by Woodley’s supreme performance. His Augustus Waters is sweet and becomes more believable as the film progresses, peaking at the movie’s climax.
Other notable performances are Nat Wolff (“Stuck in Love”), who brings a much needed comedic relief to such heavy subject matter, and Laura Dern (“Jurassic Park”), who plays Hazel’s mother with such wisdom and believability that she may just be the most sympathetic character in a film full of compassionate characters.
The cinematography is well-executed and complementary to the storyline, despite the occasionally awkward vignetted montage sequences. “The Fault in Our Stars” also boasts a great soundtrack, featuring many up and coming artists like Grouplove and Jake Bugg.
One of the main successes of the film is its ability to incorporate a huge part of any 21st century relationship between teens— text messages. Conversations between Hazel and Augustus pop up along side the screen in a handwritten bubble. This is innovative and important in establishing a reality between the film and its audience.
Overall, Boone’s adaptation will have its critics, solely due to the devotion of the book’s fanbase. However, as a standalone film, “The Fault in Our Stars” tells a beautiful story with exceptional performances.
“The Fault in Our Stars” (125 minutes, PG-13) opens in Washington area theaters June 6.
