Film Review: The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

The Fault in Our Stars is not your standard adolescent love story. In fact, this is one love story that brings a fault in the spectrum of cliche love stories that we have seen in the past. A story about two star-crossed lovers whose intention is to leave a profound impact on our individual souls as we board an intimate journey of love, hope, and loss — CtrlGeekGirl

Regarded as one of 2014’s highly memorable and emotional films, The Fault in Our Stars (2014) is a mesmerizing love story between two young adults, Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters. Based on the novel by John Green, the Temple Hill Entertainment film is narrated by sixteen-year-old Hazel who is forced to attend support group after her parents believe she was depressed from her thyroid cancer condition.

Currently on life support by breathing through a portable oxygen tank, Hazel was living by day-by-day waiting for the day when her terminal illness would be over. But after meeting the highly-enthusiastic Augustus Waters who is an amputee as a result of his osteosarcoma treatment, their newfound friendship blossoms in a way that they could never have imagined.

After a few hangouts and reciprocated quick-witted remarks, both Hazel and Augustus agree to read each other’s favorite novels: Augustus gives Hazel The Price of Dawn, and Hazel recommends An Imperial Affliction.

Directed by Josh Boone, TFIOS is a sophisticated, independent-like film that emotionally explores the comedic, thrilling, and tragic wonders of falling in love and staying alive for as long as you can.

Despite his limited filmography experience, Director Josh Boone (Stuck in Love, Lisey’s Story) has done a fantastic job at breathing life into the pages of John Green’s book.

For a long time, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was the ultimate love story that has had a preeminent impact on the world of literature. But out of the blue comes the delightful The Fault in Our Stars which perfectly captures the spirit of being a young adult in love — but with the cursed circumstances that both Hazel and Gus must endure.

Now, it wouldn’t be an amiable love story without the input from the film’s two leading actors, Shailene Woodley and Ansel Egort.

Shailene Woodley (The Descendants, Spectacular Now, Divergent) proves she is no over-hyped actress of 2014 and isn’t just a pretty face. Unlike other leading females in teen romance stories, Hazel Lancaster defies the standard female representation. It’s difficult to imagine anyone else for the role — Woodley’s performance as the witty, strong-willed and reliable character shines effortlessly on the screen, and she nails every high and low in Hazel’s life with ease.

Things take a turn for the better when the charismatic Gus arrives in her life with hope and laughter. Played by Ansel Egort (Carrie, Divergent), no doubt his performance in TFIOS will win many viewers’ hearts which will definitely empower his rising status in the Hollywood scene.

Whilst most teen films revolve around awkward characters and/or played by incompatible actors (which can be exhausting to watch at times), this is not the case with TFIOS. The chemistry between Woodley and Egort is undeniably bewitching. Whether it is their exchanged gazes and smiles, their impeccably faultless on-screen romance will enchant you.

What made it felt like the perfect young adult story was the film’s soundtrack arranged by Nate Walcott and Mike Mogis. With high-profile artists on the soundtrack featuring notable songs such as Birdy’s ‘Tee Shirt’, Ed Sheeran’s ‘All of the Stars’ and Ray Lamontagne’s ‘Without Words’, the soundtrack irrevocably accompanies the story in great unison to its full potential.

For a story that doesn’t have a particular direction, the story sometimes felt lost at various parts of the film, which in a way, mirrors the grenade-like nature of life for both Hazel and Gus. And because of this, we see events and revelations being spontaneously dropped throughout the course of the story such as Hazel and Gus’s trip to Amsterdam and complications arising due to their illnesses. With so little time in their hands, their journey encourages the audience to appreciate every living day that we have, along with the people who have helped us along the way.

Overall: The Fault in Our Stars is a highly immersive romance film that highlights Hazel and Gus’s glorious days of joy, love, hope and loss. This film adaptation of John Green’s best-selling novel is absolutely faultless, and is guaranteed to leave you in tears and complete disarray from the emotional rollercoaster journey that has engulfed us.

Although we are satisfied with the abrupt bittersweet ending, we can’t help but ask ourselves – what happens to Hazel now? But alas, we will never know. There is one thing that we do know for sure — The Fault in Our Stars will have significant effect on the audience’s perspective of life for a very long time, and we are very grateful for that.

Rating: 9.5/10

** THE FAULT IN OUR STARS is coming to Australian cinemas on June 5, 2014. For more Australian #TFIOS content, head over to Penguin Teen Australia for the latest news.