MOVIE MONDAYS: THE FAULT IN OUR STARS
I must say it had been a while since I watched a film that was based on a book that I adore and read before I even knew a film would be made about it. The Fault In Our Stars is such a film. I read the book almost a year ago and did a mini "review" on it only to do a Movie Mondays post earlier this year on the fact that it will be made into a film. And now we have come full circle as I know share with you my thoughts on the finished product.
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Oh boy. Please, if you are bit of a marshmallow like me do endeavour to carry some tissues with you. I ended up sitting through it with tears and snot streaming down my face so as not to disturb other viewers with my seemingly loud sniffling. Needless to say, if people could see in the dark they would have told you I looked disgusting. It is no bloody wonder I am single. I jest... If you have not read the book, my book "review" or caught my announcement of the film's release date in cinemas near us then I will give you a quick run down of the plot. Have no fear, my 'No Spoilers' policy still holds.
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The Fault In Our Stars is about the steps Hazel Grace Lancaster takes to make the most out of the cards she has been dealt with the help of a fella she met during one of her Support Group meeting called Augustus Waters. Filled with wit, drama and emotional waves this film is sure to make you laugh, cry (or tear up... slightly?), appreciate the people you love and dream bigger. Based on the book with the same title, this beautiful film was directed by Josh Boone (Stuck In Love) and its highly entertaining script was written by Scott Neustadter (The Spectacular Now; Pink Panther 2; 500 Days of Summer) and Michael H. Weber (The Spectacular Now; Pink Panther 2; 500 Days of Summer) who, it appears, have formed quite the screenplay-writing partnership. I do quite like what these guys and the 12,997 other people who worked on this project created and would love to find out more about how they made this movie happen.
Even though I knew Shailene Woodley (Divergent; The Spectacular Now;The American Life of A Teenager) was set to play the smart, funny and bit of a realist Hazel Grace, it was not until about 15 mins into the film that was completely happy with her playing this character - not that I had the power to change the fact even if I was not ok with it. I am not 100% sure why I did not immediately see her as Hazel Grace but I have a sneaky suspicion that it took that long for my brain to stop seeing Hazel Grace as Amy Juergens (the character Shailene Wood played in TALoAT) with a new 'do. Ansel Elgort (Divergent; Carrie) did a fantastic job at bringing the optimistic, silver-tongued and loyal Augustus Waters to life, in my opinion. This is the first production I have seen him in and I cannot wait to see more of his work. Funny boy Issac, who is very in tune with his emotions and Augustus' best friend, is played wonderfully by Nat Wolff (Palo Alto; Stuck In Love; The Naked Brothers Band). The ever-so patient, understanding and loving Mr and Mrs Lancaster, Hazel Grace's parents, were played by Sam Trammell (True Blood; Crazy Kind of Love; The Privileged) and Laura Dern (Enlightened; Inland Empire; Jurassic Park III). It was amazing seeing these characters who reached out to me in the book come alive before my very tear filled eyes.
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So, if you are in the mood to see a film infused with humour, drama and various scenes that give your zeal for memorable life a mahoosive boost then make sure you give this film a go. And be sure to take some tissues with you...just in case.
What was your favourite quote from The Fault In Our Stars?
Mo x