Monday, December 22, 2014

Movie of the Week – The Fault in Our Stars

This week’s movie: The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

Hazel is a young woman suffering the effects of a long battle with cancer, leaving her with weak lungs. She dreams of a full life of adventures, but has resigned herself to the realities of her situation, all but turning her back on love. Under protest, she gives in to her parents and joins a support group for cancer patients.  There she meets the young outgoing Gus. A cancer survivor himself, his approach to life seems much more carefree, taking in everything. Gus is attracted to Hazel right away, opening her up to a whole new world. This is the story of their great love.

The film is directed by Josh Boone, who had a slight breakthrough with his first feature Stuck in Love (a small film that has caught on with many viewers). He worked with composers Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott, as well as talented up and comers cinematographer Ben Richardson and production designer Molly Hughes on The Fault in Our Stars.

The film stars Shailene Woodley (who many will know from her great work in The Descendent and The Spectacular Now) and Ansel Elgort (who also stars in the Divergent series with Woodley). Nat Wolff, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, and Willem Dafoe feature in support.

The Fault in Our Stars is the second 2014 release that I am highlighting as a “Movie of the Week”, the other is The Raid 2. Both films I missed in theaters, but found them to be great once I got to them. I am sure there will be a few more I get to in 2015.

The Fault in Our Stars is a great romantic drama, built around its fantastic leading performances. It is touching and sad, but also hopeful, championing love. The film was always going to be a tear-jerker along the lines of A Walk to Remember, but it feels very fresh and vibrant – thanks to the great energy Woodley and Elgort bring to it. It seems that each year we are treated to one or two wonderful young adult dramas (recent films Short Term 12, The Spectacular Now and The Perks of Being a Wallflower come to mind); 2014’s is The Fault in Our Stars. It is a must-see for fans of romantic dramas.


Trailer: Here
Available on: Blu-ray and Video On-Demand

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