Read Mixed User Reviews for The Fault in Our Stars

5

NightReviewsJun 6, 2014

I have never been surrounded by so many teenage girls before until I sat down to watch this film. During an early screening of the alluring teenage film adaptation of John Green’s novel The Fault In Our Stars, I was surely the minority of theI have never been surrounded by so many teenage girls before until I sat down to watch this film. During an early screening of the alluring teenage film adaptation of John Green’s novel The Fault In Our Stars, I was surely the minority of the sexes. To be honest, I don’t think I knew exactly how outnumbered I was until the film’s tragic scenes unfolded, delivering a current of waterworks and overwhelmingly loud wails of screaming, crying and sniffling, predominantly from female audience members. This early screening of the film was jam-packed, and had me sitting only a row away from the massive screen. If Josh Boone’s film adaptation of The Fault In Our Stars taught me anything, it’s to never underestimate the power of teenage girls and their ability to pack theaters and show their support for films and books they love.

The Fault In Our Stars is guilty of possessing a number of faults, but its biggest sin lies in its persistence to aspire to be greater than it actually is. It succeeds when it exposes us to the tragic relationship between its protagonists and the loved ones around them, and fails when it aspires to find new territory of plot and redemption for characters that are already born with unlimited amounts of pathos.

Hazel Grace Lancaster (Shailene Woodley) is as much a teenage girl as any other living in the United States. Her love of reality television, reading and curiosity of the taboo is just as strong as other girls within America. The only difference: Hazel Grace has terminal cancer. The Fault In Our Stars should be a film about cancer and how it effects the people surrounded by it (think 50/50), but it becomes overwhelming with its fascination to overly glamorize the telling of a tainted love story, therefore becoming a love story about people with cancer (think A Walk To Remember).

From the beginning, love, life and happiness are overshadowed by impending doom, and that is perhaps the problem with the film. No matter how much you fall in love with Hazel Grace or Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort), their fates are sealed. Green’s novel may have been about telling a heart-breaking love story between young teens, but much like Hazel’s fascination with her favourite book and the open endedness of a certain literary character, Hazel’s happiness is less about coming to terms with death, and more about the continuation of the life of her loved ones. The interactions with the people who will survive and live well beyond Hazel’s existence are never given their due diligence on-screen, especially her mother (played delicately by Laura Dern), always being pushed aside by the love story that will ultimately end in unhappiness and tears.

There is sure to be a reason why Green’s novel has becomes such a pop culture sensation. The film is said to be a somewhat loyal adaptation, brimming with very clever metaphors of life and death through dialogue and foreshadowing. It does a masterful job of **** the most average looking parks, backyards and parking lots, and makes great use of its supporting actors. Sadly, the two actors that have the most screen time are the two weakest components of the film. Woodley, who is slowly following in the footsteps of Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence, seems to play Hazel Grace less, and herself more. With the exception of her chopping off her hair and having an oxygen tank follow her around everywhere she goes, Woodley only taps the surface of her character Hazel Grace, barely gracing audiences with the brilliance radiating with the promise of such a philosophically pessimistic character.

Elgort, who comes off as a character who is easy to fall in love with, shows much of his charm and promise as a young actor. Elgort as Waters shimmers with potential, delivering a performance of a person who may be a little too cherry and perfect, given sad circumstances.

Green had said to gain the inspiration of the novel by working as a student chaplain at a children’s hospital. Drawn to the exuberant life of its terminally ill patients, Green is quoted as saying he wanted to write a book about people who were constantly being dehumanized, while showcasing the abundance of humanity in people with a terminal illness. The film does an excellent job of making audiences believe that love is what keeps Hazel and Augustus alive. Love becomes the answer, but only for so long before the inevitability of death at the end of a terminal illness takes hold. There is a point where love exists, and people fade in the film, and although the relationships that held strong are bonded by love, hope of an improbably oblivion becomes the films main concern.

The Fault In Our Stars can be self-assured as being a quality film made for an audience that would be content with half-assed filmmaking. The production quality and storytelling is top-notch, even if its is constantly emotionally manipulating.… Expand

8 of 10 users found this helpful82

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6

ScribeHardJun 25, 2014

The Fault in Our Stars is its own blessing and curse.

The blessing is that it handles well the three significant plots it has going on. And really, why they aren't necessarily equal, none of them can be considered subplots; "co-plots" is aThe Fault in Our Stars is its own blessing and curse.

The blessing is that it handles well the three significant plots it has going on. And really, why they aren't necessarily equal, none of them can be considered subplots; "co-plots" is a more apt term.

The curse is the weight of it all. A terminal teenage girl reconciling her own mortality is heavy but believable. A terminal teenage girl falling in love is heavy but believable. A terminal teenage girl seeking answers to lingering questions in her favorite book is heavy but believable. Each, on its own, could fill 90 minutes of movie. But all three combined carry too much weight, and thus strain credulity to its breaking point. More than once I found myself asking, "What other terrible thing could happen?" only to be answered within the next 10 minutes.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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5

douglasnotdougJun 23, 2014

Its an Okay movie. Its a faithful adaptation which is a relief but only Woodley shows up to play. The director directs many pivotal scenes horribly. The filmmakers care for the book does translate to the screen though

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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4

meediocreFeb 11, 2015

Despite the all the teenage, cancer-ridden angst - this love affair and everything about it is rather insipid. It has nothing much to say about the pains and joys of life beyond a few tearful observations. Several references throughout theDespite the all the teenage, cancer-ridden angst - this love affair and everything about it is rather insipid. It has nothing much to say about the pains and joys of life beyond a few tearful observations. Several references throughout the movie are made to cigarettes, but not once in the entire film is there a whiff of discussion about why young people or anyone might be getting ill .. it just kinda happens and that sucks .. What a sappy film. The cast were ok, which is why it gets a low yellow score, not red.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

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6

jiffer2387Jun 7, 2014

Overall, a good movie. It stayed true to the parts of the book that were shown... but I felt like the parts of the book that were left out hollowed the story some. Most of the messy details after the Amsterdam trip were cut as was the ex,Overall, a good movie. It stayed true to the parts of the book that were shown... but I felt like the parts of the book that were left out hollowed the story some. Most of the messy details after the Amsterdam trip were cut as was the ex, which I felt lent truth to the story.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

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4

farqussusJun 25, 2014

The leading man is insufferably cocky and completely unable to convey genuine emotion when it was desperately needed. Laura Dern is wasted and seems embarrassed by what she was required to do. Woodley performed well, despite never onceThe leading man is insufferably cocky and completely unable to convey genuine emotion when it was desperately needed. Laura Dern is wasted and seems embarrassed by what she was required to do. Woodley performed well, despite never once looking even vaguely ill, and her 80's mom haircut never having a hair out of place. The lead's friend, who is going blind for god's sake, is there solely for comic relief, and once he is blind is still only given glib interjections. At no point did I believe any of them was ill. I didn't believe anything. I cracked up laughing in the inevitable scene-designed-to-make-everyone-cry. It looked like it was made for the Hallmark channel, and I'm sure there it will have a much longer life than these kids.… Expand

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4

nicholasbertAug 22, 2014

Whenever I'm about to see a film with this kind of plot, I shiver. Because they usually resolve in one of two ways: either they try to break you down or they try to teach you. This one sort of attempts both. But while the subject of the filmWhenever I'm about to see a film with this kind of plot, I shiver. Because they usually resolve in one of two ways: either they try to break you down or they try to teach you. This one sort of attempts both. But while the subject of the film is sad as it is, considering that things like those happen every day, I don't want to rate the subject of the film but rather the film itself as a work of art.

Cancer is a bad beast, if you want to know more about it, there's a lot of people around you who have it and can tell you.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

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4

KunryaJun 30, 2014

Not good. Not bad. But, completely forgettable. I'm a pretty big fan of the book and all this movie did was slightly diminish how I'll look at it if ever decide to read it again. Shailene Woodley was passable and Ansel Elgort had his moments,Not good. Not bad. But, completely forgettable. I'm a pretty big fan of the book and all this movie did was slightly diminish how I'll look at it if ever decide to read it again. Shailene Woodley was passable and Ansel Elgort had his moments, but ultimately they both left me feeling like somebody else could have done it better.… Expand

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4

alwayswatchingAug 31, 2014

“The Fault in Our Stars” is the love story of Hazel and Augustus, two teenagers with terminal cancer who meet in a support group. It is based on a book by the same title written by John Green.

Hazel, played by Shailene Woodley, and“The Fault in Our Stars” is the love story of Hazel and Augustus, two teenagers with terminal cancer who meet in a support group. It is based on a book by the same title written by John Green.

Hazel, played by Shailene Woodley, and Augustus, played by Ansel Elgort have two completely different characters. Hazel is very pessimistic, depressed, asocial, and melancholic. Augustus is optimistic, cheerful, convivial, and funny. As their love story progresses their characters change. Hazel starts to see bright sides of the world and Augustus gives up his super ambitious dreams and becomes more realistic.

Not every director is brave enough to step into the territory of showing the daily life of terminally ill people but this territory is also easily manipulative. Josh Boone should be praised for his courage for directing “The Fault in Our Stars” and puts many engaging moments and a good takeaway message in the movie but it does not mean his work has no shortcomings.

The main problem with the movie is the poor script adaptation. The movie relies less on the visual presentations and more on Hazel's monologues to narrate the story. Instead of seeing events in the movie, we mostly hear them (or we see them and then unnecessarily hear them). A better script adaptation could have transformed more of the oral narrations into more engaging visual narrations. Moreover, cliché sentences like “I love you” and “You are beautiful” appear in the movie over and over without adding anything new to the story. The ultimate message of the movie is excessively highlighted with excessive dialogues and performances.

The second problem with this movie is far-from-perfect performances. The supporting actors and actresses in the movie pull out good performances but the leading actor and actress are not convincing. The Augustus' ever-present smile and his never-disturbed coolness feels unreal and sometimes annoying. Still, it seems the script is to blame here. Performances are not the only part of the movie that feel fake and unreal. The whole story about Hazel and Augustus's last wish and how they consummate their love is so fake that I couldn't help but to keep closing my eyes through it.… Expand

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6

PrestonISJun 8, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. All emotions aside, this movie was worth the watch, but solely for entertainment and tear-jerking purposes. This movie does not deserve a perfect 10 (it's no 12 Years a Slave or Pulp Fiction), but it does deserve some credibility where it earned it— the cinematography and the acting, most notably. Both leads did a wonderful job selling their characters. Unfortunately, however (and this may just be a critique of the book rather than the movie), the plot was somewhat flawed. For one, the movie (unlike the book) didn't explain why the father wasn't more of a prominent figure, whereas the mother was heavily involved. That's a simple flaw, and not one worth giving a lower score for. What does alter my score, however, are the multiple plot cliches found throughout the movie, as well as film cliches. There was, of course!, the typical 'grab something at the same time and touch our hands "accidentally" ' cliche. What I do commemorate is the slight plot twist: (DON'T READ THIS SENTENCE IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE MOVIE OR READ THE BOOK) most people would probably assume that Hazel would die, rather than Gus. So that was a nice gut-buster. Overall, apart from the cliches and ultimate goal of causing the audience to flood the theater in their own tears, the movie was entertaining and inspiring (as well as the book, obviously). It reminds me of Perks of Being a Wallflower, but not quite as good. It was an interesting take on a 21st century coming-of-age film (which is how I understood it to be, but with a touch of cancer). As a film, this movie deserves between a 5.5-6.5; as modern entertainment, this movie deserves an 8-9. Recommended but not praised.… Expand

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5

AcePilot24Jun 21, 2014

Well i was kinda more expecting for this movie but unfortunately has some negative things but the movie is not terrible is just average well here i explain why. This movie doesn't feel any emotional for any of the characters as well butWell i was kinda more expecting for this movie but unfortunately has some negative things but the movie is not terrible is just average well here i explain why. This movie doesn't feel any emotional for any of the characters as well but one of the good things of this movie is the fact that the relationship here works but i didn't care of any of the characters . The story is cliche and the ending as well the girl who loves the guy dies as always which is completely annoying so the movie is not sad at all they told me that the movie is extremely sensitive but that ain't affect me not even a bit but sorry for the fans but my score is average… Expand

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5

skcFeb 13, 2016

Nice movie but not a great movie...Acting was great loved the story and the music used definitely enhanced the movie, but overall a little cliché and mediocre movie.

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6

csw12Nov 26, 2015

The Fault in Our Stars walks a thin line that could have easily crossed into being cheesy, but style of writing and great chemistry between the leads, gives a touching lovely story that felt meaningful

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6

LynMay 25, 2015

Though it's a predictable tearjerker -- the charm, humor and pathos are all right where you expect them -- Shailene Woodley is terrific. Ironically, it might speak less to the average healthy teenager than to grown-ups, who think much moreThough it's a predictable tearjerker -- the charm, humor and pathos are all right where you expect them -- Shailene Woodley is terrific. Ironically, it might speak less to the average healthy teenager than to grown-ups, who think much more about the limited time they have left and what might happen when they're gone.… Expand

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6

TVJerryJun 13, 2014

Shailene Woodley plays a young woman who has been ravaged by cancer since she was 13. She meets Ansel Elgort in a support group and they proceed to fall in love. The witty, sometimes overwritten, dialogue is part of the film's charm, but theShailene Woodley plays a young woman who has been ravaged by cancer since she was 13. She meets Ansel Elgort in a support group and they proceed to fall in love. The witty, sometimes overwritten, dialogue is part of the film's charm, but the bulk of the appeal comes from the tall, baby-faced Elgort, who's cute, charismatic and charming. Woodley is OK, but looks too old for her role. While I'm sure fans of the book (which I haven't read) will be thrilled and touched, the story continues too long after it felt finished and mires itself in misery. Still, it may be worth it to see Elgort in a career-making performance.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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5

analogkid280Jun 9, 2014

Underage drinking, statutory rape, vandalism are all things we want our teenagers to partake in. Even the adult that witnesses her own car being vandalized is just like "okay whatever" and goes back inside. With that being said, most of theUnderage drinking, statutory rape, vandalism are all things we want our teenagers to partake in. Even the adult that witnesses her own car being vandalized is just like "okay whatever" and goes back inside. With that being said, most of the adults in this movie are pushovers giving into anything the kids want or say. That's while the kids show advanced articulation and deeper thoughts. What parent lets even a healthy kid take a trip like that, especially after seeing "Taken" a few years ago. This film is also plagued with semantics that are just mistakes, like the family leaving for a vacation and forgetting the close the front door to the house, or them climbing a ladder making a big deal for her making it but saying nothing about the 1 legged boyfriend. I guess nobody cared about him anyways. Just take your girlfriend to see this one so she can have a good cry like Tom Cruise did this weekend when he saw the box office charts.… Expand

0 of 4 users found this helpful04

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6

catcarloSep 2, 2014

Per essere una storia che racconta di adolescenti – per di più malati di cancro - e che è indirizzata con chiarezza alle fasce più giovani di pubblico, ‘Colpa delle stelle’ riesce a ridurre i rischi insiti in entrambi i suoi aspetti peculiariPer essere una storia che racconta di adolescenti – per di più malati di cancro - e che è indirizzata con chiarezza alle fasce più giovani di pubblico, ‘Colpa delle stelle’ riesce a ridurre i rischi insiti in entrambi i suoi aspetti peculiari trovando il modo di diventare qualcosa di più della banale trasposizione del romanzo di John Green. Grazie a una sceneggiatura che schiaccia a lungo il pedale del freno sul lato della commozione prima di perdersi nei sentimentalismi conclusivi e a dei personaggi che trasmettono empatia anche grazie a quella che appare essere una sentita partecipazione da parte di tutto il cast, il film si mantiene su di un livello più che dignitoso e riesce a non far troppo pesare il suo essere un dispensatore di ansie lungo due ore. E questo anche se a ben vedere le caratteristiche immancabili del genere (dei generi) ci sono tutte. Per il filone adolescenziale, ecco la coppia centrale tanto carina e sfortunata, l'eroismo per amore (Gus santo subito), l’amico spalla comica, i sogni della giovinezza che si infrangono sulla realtà per non parlare della colonna sonora che è una compilation di ballate venate di opportuna malinconia per accompagnare ogni momento saliente (un po’ invadente, ma nel complesso non male con la presenza di gente come Jake Bugg, Tom Odell, Sun Kil Moon oltre al buon Vivaldi che fa figo e non impegna). In riferimento all'ambiente ospedaliero, non mancano i ricoveri d'urgenza, i cigli inumiditi dalle lacrime e un paio di scene madri: insomma, va dato merito a Scott Neustadter e Michael Weber di essersi mantenuti in miracoloso equilibrio su molti aspetti insidiosi e al semiesordiente Josh Boone di aver diretto il tutto seguendo la stessa idea di fondo. Altrove stanno invece i problemi, il principale dei quali non è la presenza di qualche colossale stupidaggine – l'applauso nella casa di Anna Frank? Ecco perchè i curatori del museo hanno impedito le riprese in loco della scena… - bensì che la pellicola duri mezzora di troppo. Il motivo va cercato in un eccesso di didascalismo in moltissime parti, come se il fatto di non raccontare tutto potesse deludere gli spettatori, specie quelli che hanno amato il libro; una scelta in contrasto con la limitazione del contrappunto creato dalle situazioni di lieve commedia presenti invece sulla pagina scritta (o almeno così mi dice mia figlia adolescente). Il risultato sono una serie di rallentamenti – lo sviluppo della relazione contrassegnato da un sovrappiù di chiacchiera a sproposito, l'interminabile racconto dei tre giorni ad Amsterdam, un finale al quale avrebbe fatto bene qualche ellissi in più – che raffreddano un po’ il coinvolgimento nella vicenda della giovane Hazel, diciassettenne malata senza molte speranze e perciò incupita (malgrado gli affettuosissimi genitori) che vede brillare un raggio di sole grazie all'amore, ricambiato, dell'altrettanto sfortunato coetaneo Gus, capace per lei di andare oltre il dolore. Come già accennato sopra, contribuisce invece a catturare lo spettatore una prova degli attori nel complesso molto buona, sia per quanto riguarda la coppia di ragazzi che, costituita da Shailene Woodley (forse un po’ grandicella per dimostrare diciassette anni, ma davvero brava a dare spessore ai moltissimi primi piani) e Ansel Elgort, interagisce con estrema naturalezza, sia per gli adulti, fra i quali si segnalano Laura Dern che riesce a stare dentro le righe come madre di Hazel e, soprattutto, Willem Dafoe capace di regalare una sgradevolezza che significa più di mille parole al misantropo Van Houten. Il risultato complessivo è, in fondo l'ennesima variazione su di un ulteriore cliché, quello che vede delle persone normali alle prese con una situazione tutto meno che ordinaria, ma – sempre se non spaventa l'argomento e tenendo comunque conto che titoli come ‘Noi siamo infinito’ militano in un'altra serie – i pregi finiscono per aver la meglio sui difetti e far la conoscenza con Hazel e Gus può valer la pena anche da parte di chi non fa parte della categoria di spettatori di riferimento.… Expand

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5

arsheeshJul 7, 2014

a deemed extraordinary love story that is far from plausible. as it's been adapted from the novel, i can't really comment on its plot. the only thing holding this movie together is its direction and music. other than that, even if you misseda deemed extraordinary love story that is far from plausible. as it's been adapted from the novel, i can't really comment on its plot. the only thing holding this movie together is its direction and music. other than that, even if you missed it, you haven't really missed anything.… Expand

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6

NahidParvezJul 9, 2015

The movie was okay but Ansel was a terrible bad casting choice. He seems a bully to me. Just bad acting; no soulful connection to his character. On the other hand, Shailene was awesome in this movie. She will go a long way. I can't tell thisThe movie was okay but Ansel was a terrible bad casting choice. He seems a bully to me. Just bad acting; no soulful connection to his character. On the other hand, Shailene was awesome in this movie. She will go a long way. I can't tell this about Ansel.… Expand

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6

GuillermoBMMar 7, 2015

Summary: The Fault in Our Stars compensates for its flaws with Shailene Woodley's performance and tear-jerking moments. 63/100 [C+]

The Fault in Our Stars is a pretty passable and forgettable film. That's why I give it a 6/10. It's farSummary: The Fault in Our Stars compensates for its flaws with Shailene Woodley's performance and tear-jerking moments. 63/100 [C+]

The Fault in Our Stars is a pretty passable and forgettable film. That's why I give it a 6/10. It's far from being a bad film, but it wasn't very special either. I read the amazing book few days before watching the film, and I have to say that the book was breathtaking and deeply emotional. It is filled with lots of funny moments and also, painfully sad moments. The last chapters made me feel so many emotions at once. Then appears this mediocre and sometimes heartless adaptation. It was so disappointing because it does not reach that emotional impact from the book. The movie feels so rushed (even with its 126 minutes of running time).

It was so straight to the point, there was not enough character development. My major issue with this film is that each scene feels so mediocre and emotionally empty. Also, when it tries to be funny ends up being awkwardly humorless. Another problem is the lazy screenplay, the writer changed a huge part of the original script and some of the scenes were so badly scripted and awfully directed. I mean, the actions and the way that this talented actors interacted between each other in dramatic scenes were not similar to the book at all. What a shame because the book took more risks. It was braver.

Another problem is that there were not enough characters. A lot of important characters from the book were not in the film. Come on, the director had enough running time to put them in, but he didn't. Also, I didn't feel that connection between Hazel, Gus, and that book called "An Imperial Affliction". You don't know anything about this book that they love, they just barely talked about it throughout the film and there were not enough conversations about this beloved book in the film. But I'm happy that there were some decent moments here. All the scenes in Amsterdam were beautifully shot and very similar to the book in all the right ways. It was definitely the best part of the movie.

All those moments in Amsterdam were very enjoyable and beautiful because there was a lot of chemistry between these two main characters. Shailene Woodley was terrific, she was born to play this role. It's sad that this director went for the easy way and didn't put lots of important and crucial moments from the book in the film. The DVD version has some extra minutes, but it's just not enough. Overall, The Fault in Our Stars is a mediocre and empty film compared to the book, but it definitely has its moments and the performances were terrific. Sorry if I mentioned the word "book" so many times in this review, but I can't stop comparing them. [C+]… Expand

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6

DavidV293May 19, 2015

I watched this and all I gotta say is that is pretty enjoyable. Although the depressing parts like when they're facing their sickness in the hospitals is what makes it worse. Not the bad worse but the sad worse. In the end The Fault In OurI watched this and all I gotta say is that is pretty enjoyable. Although the depressing parts like when they're facing their sickness in the hospitals is what makes it worse. Not the bad worse but the sad worse. In the end The Fault In Our stars is sure one of the most enjoyable romantic films that I have seen in a long time.… Expand

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6

GustavoRibeiroOct 16, 2015

[TRILHA SONORA] Melhores músicas: All Of The Stars, Let Me In, Boom Clap, All I Want, Not About Angels, Wait, Bomfalleralla
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