BOOK AND MOVIE REVIEW
The Fault in Our Stars
“Okay?” “Okay.”
This particular quote is the main captivator throughout the duration of John Green’s best-selling novel, The Fault in Our Stars.
Hazel Grace Lancaster is the main protagonist in this story. A story is about two kids with cancer, although it is not about cancer. This well written, heart breaking book features the realities of life, the odds of two kids with cancer finding each other, falling in love and creating their own little infinity within the numbered days. Their story begins by bumping into each other at a Cancer Support Group and as they begin to connect over their love of books and "cancer perks", these two people fall in love with each other, slowly, then all at once. So many people are enthralled with this book because John Green has once again used his powerful magic to make you fall in love with fictional characters in a matter of pages, as in many of his other books.
While either reading this book, or watching the equally amazing movie adaptation, I assure you that there is a 100 percent chance that John Green will entrap you in his heart-wrenching, magical, metaphorical, one-of-a-kind masterpiece, by slowly enticing us in with an unlimited expanse of humour, fluffiness, metaphors and the cruelty brought to them from the author of their favourite book. This book has captivated many hearts from all types of people, all over the world, young and old to not so young; this book will mesmerize you from the first sentence, all the way until the last word.
From America to Amsterdam, Support Group to the Anne Frank House, there is a constant warmheartedness and beauty portrayed by Shailene Woodley (Hazel Grace) and Ansel Elgort (Augustus), as well as the wonderful supporting characters played by Nat Wolf, Willem Dafoe, Sam Trammell and Laura Dern. These characters perfectly capture the many physiognomies of these characters and, most importantly, are accepted by the followers of the book, which is essential. Director Josh Boone could not have done a better job of staying extremely loyal to the original book, and with the assistance of John Green himself, Boone has blown away all of our previous expectations. Nat Wolf, who plays Isaac, the best friend of Augustus Waters, becomes friends with Hazel quickly after he breaks up with his long time girlfriend, Monica, who broke up with him because he was going blind. Hazel, Isaac and Gus share many wonderful moments together, especially when they take it upon themselves to give Monica the revenge she deserves by using two dozen eggs accompanied by five legs, four eyes and two and a half pairs of lungs.
Shailene and Ansel have previously starred in another best-selling hit, Divergent as brother and sister, and will continue to play those roles for another three movies. The chemistry between these two actors is evident and adds the effect of the movie but also pays respect to the book.
The wonderful soundtrack presented in the movie by a variety of wonderful artists, has increased the already remarkable film, for many of the songs reflect the emotions and moods of the scene in which they star in. These superb music tracks are popular outside the confines of the cinema. A few of the artists featuring in the film include Ed Sheeran, Birdy, Lykke Li, Kodaline, Grouplove, Charlie XCX and many more.
This magical book-to-movie adaptation features the spectacular journey of Hazel and Augustus, through love, loss, the concept of Oblivion and metaphors, as they both discover true love for the first, and last time.
By Shanine Moodley