The Fault in our Stars (2014) Movie Review


Director: Josh Boone
Cast: Shaileen Woodley, Ansel Elgort
Duration: 2 hr 14 mins
What is the meaning of life? What is death? Is there something beyond? These metaphysical questions are not explicitly expressed in this film, but they form the underlying support on which this story is narrated. This is a story of two cancer stricken teens with very different approaches to life, who come together and find love and support with each other. Cancer is a killer even more so when it strikes buds.
The movie revolves around Hazel (Shaileen Woodley) and Augustus (Ansel Elgort). They meet at a support group for youngsters with cancer and are intrigued by one another. Gus is very expressive, friendly and fun loving. He uses his charms on Hazel and brings out the positive side in her. He encourages her to come out of her self-induced depression and view life differently. It’s beautiful to see how the passion in young people if channelized well, can become a mutually enriching, growth enhancing and freeing experience.
The role of parents and friends in a person’s life are very well depicted. Having supportive, caring people around can help nurture good, balanced individuals. Hazel’s parents are very supportive and want her to enjoy her life as best she can.What would life be without challenges and risks? Gus constantly invites Hazel to risk doing things she would never do, without overdoing them.
The ‘Gus’ we see is a rare type in the real world. But probably, very strong experiences make one different and empathetic to people in similar conditions. Hazel is very natural and reflects the attitudes of a major chunk of people, not merely cancer patients. I would think that Hazel’s mother plays a very decisive role is how things pan out. Maybe the role was exaggerated a bit to achieve that result, but boy, it got me wishing for such a mother (not that my mother isn’t supportive or anything.. but you get the point…).
The story is beautiful even though the movie is pretty long and could do with some editing. The dry, music-less spells don’t help. A number of profound thoughts, questions, situations and emotions are depicted. The movie invites the viewer to revise his/her prejudices against cancer patients and to develop new approaches. It poses an existential challenge to the viewer, to develop a positive, constructive attitude toward life and ultimately dissolves sweetly into the ‘oblivion’ of love.

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