Film & TV

Film Review: The Fault in our Stars

The Fault in our Stars

Hazel is a teenager with terminal cancer. Determined to overcome obstacles, she joins a cancer support group where she meets a former sportsman, now amputee.

 

The Fault in our StarsRomance movies have been enduringly popular. From Here to Eternity, Gone with the Wind and others have captured the imagination for generations. Those lasting the distance have something original in them whilst following the expected boy-meets-girl formula.

Others have taken the predictable Mills and Boon path, featuring lingering looks, swirling violins and soft focussed lens. The Fault in our Stars falls into the latter with its manipulative nature enabling it to mark its own place amongst a gallery of forgettable romantic pot-boilers.

Hazel (Shailene Woodley) is a teenager with terminal cancer. Determined to overcome obstacles, she joins a cancer support group. There she meets Augustus (Ansel Elgort), a former sportsman, now amputee.

Forming a connection, they bring new spark to their lives whilst attempting to meet the author of a book they like. Travelling to Amsterdam to meet the writer, their struggle against emotional and physical adversities continues to haunt their lives.

Based on John Green’s best-selling novel, The Fault in our Stars fails to have the courage of its convictions. Whilst its central theme of embracing life and staying positive is commendable, its execution isn’t. Lazily directed by Josh Boone, it shamelessly uses television’s disease-of-the-week formula to the maximum. He fails to bring any fresh perspective to the couple’s plight with a soft rock soundtrack and constant weeping substituted for genuine characterisation.

Its biggest crime is its tasteless insensitivity. A sequence features them visiting the Anne Frank House with their illness unsubtly linked to the World War 2 Holocaust. They then promptly passionately kiss in Anne Frank’s attic to the cheesy applause of fellow tourists. This alone robs the movie of any credibility with the performers having little to do except cry and emote on cue.

Featuring pretty, wealthy people dealing with traumatic hardship, The Fault in Our Stars story is dubious at best. Undemanding viewers may enjoy it, although others should steer clear of this teenage romance constantly searching for depth and sorely missing passion.

Reviewed by Patrick Moore

Rating out of 10:  2

 

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