Movie Review: The Fault In Our Stars


Release Date: June 2, 2014


Don’t shoot me, I haven’t read TFIOS the book or any other John Green book… And yes, put the gun down, I watched the movie before reading the book. Ekk!

Since I’m still alive, I guess you’ve all given me the chance to elaborate. You see, I meant to read the book. I picked it up, got a good 50 pages in, adored it and then exams hit and I dropped it. My friend who also happens to be a John Green fangirl, was nice enough to tell me the major plot twists so that went down the drain. (It’s ok buddy, still friends!)

Now that we have the back story covered, let me just say that I watched this movie with my mother and brother both of which had varying opinions but mine is the only one that counts and oh my goodness this was golden. 

It’s now been almost a month since I watched it and things are getting a little hazy but I think a lot of the things I loved had more to do with the story than the movie. Meaning the credits probably go to John Green for being a genius but I also have to thank Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort for being amazing actors who brought Augustus and Hazel to life. Dare I say, Shailene was better fitted for Hazel's role than Tris’...

Some favourite things included the normalcy that this movie was able to present to the audience. We’ve all come to see cinema as a place where stars shining in their otherworldly beauty can walk on red carpets but cinema is changing. Realism is taking over and this was a dedication to that. All the actors looked like kids I could go to school with; except for the great clothes and impeccably clean rooms. 

Since this is a movie review, I feel like it's fair to comment on the cinematography and location choice, which I felt was great. There were some really nice closeups that worked well with the mood. The setting, you guys, was perfect. SO perfect in fact that it seems the bench in Amsterdam where TFIOS was shot was stolen.

It was found :)

I loved the bickering between Gus and Hazel. Their opposing ideas of life and death and how one should go out were maybe a little morbid but also really interesting to think about. 

I didn't find any faults in the movie. I thought it was cleanly wrapped up and executed. The ending, which I heard was different from the novel, was appeasing to me and I had no problems with it. 

Overall, it was a very sweet, very touching and sensual movie which reminds us all that life is short. Don’t wait until you have a reason to enjoy it, living life should be reason enough.

-MARI

12 comments:

  1. Phew, I'm so glad to hear you liked it! See, I haven't read the book (yet) either! So I was nervous about seeing it. I'm still not sure if I'll see the movie first or what, but it's good to know you can enjoy the movie first sometimes :)

    Diamond @ Dee's Reads

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    1. I'm usually pretty good with watching movies before reading the books. This movie stood really well on its own, the viewer was never lost which I think was a great way to sell a wonderful story like this one.

      -Mari

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  2. TFIOS is my favorite book of all the time. I've read it like 5 times (I know it's not too much, but I do NOT re-read books).
    Anyway, I loved the movie, too. And I agree about Shai being better as Hazel.
    So glad you enjoyed it! Now, please. Read the book! :)

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    1. 5 times is a lot of times. I'm not quite sure how people mange to exceed 10 let alone 20 etc. Haha, I plan to buy it, read it, and adore it!

      -Mari

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  3. I always like to read the book before watching the movie, and haven't felt up to reading the book yet, but I was glad to read your review of the film! It's interesting that there was some changes in the end. I'm glad the film on it's own was wonderful for you - it will be interesting to know your thoughts on the book now that you've seen the movie!

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    1. I know a lot of readers like to read the book first, I personally don't have rules for myself so I try a little bit of everything :) I can't wait to read the book now!

      -Mari

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  4. I'll have you know, I nearly did shoot you(; So glad you loved it! I totally agree with you about Shailene being better suited for Hazel. In Divergent I just wasn't as captured by her performance like here, though that may be due to the character. Great review!
    And please, please finish the book (:

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    1. Haha, I'm very sincerely sorry! I promise to read the books. I really enjoyed Shailene's performance in Divergent but I was blown away by her portrayal of Hazel. I agree, it probably has a lot to do with the characters.

      -Mari

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  5. So glad you enjoyed it! We're all dying to see it too -- but at least we've read the book. ;P

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  6. I went to a screening of it. I read the book and thought it was okay. Great writing, but I didn't connect to the characters and I wasn't fangirling over it. Then I saw the movie. I promised myself, I wouldn't cry. Technically, I sobbed, which I thought was okay. I loved the movie in a way I didn't expect. Seeing actors just made it all that much more real for me. Loved.

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  7. I haven't seen the movie yet, but I did read the book and I definitely plan to watch it. I just never managed to get my butt to the theater! :-)

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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  8. Brilliant review! I reviewed this as well and I thought it was quite enjoyable, but I did have some issues with it. I did really like Shaillene as Hazel though, she was so perfect for it and I loved her in it.

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