Picture this:
340 seats
1 adult man (a dad with his two young daughters)
5 adult women (with our daughters)
3 teenage guys with their girlfriends
3 young tween boys
328 young tween and teen girls
That is the composition of the audience on the June 6th, opening night for The Fault in Our Stars or #TFiOS. We weren’t the only ones because opening weekend grossed nearly $50 million at the box office.
The movie is based on the book written by acclaimed YA (young adult) writer, John Green. The theater was SOLD OUT. No surprise at all since that is just about the only movie my girls have been talking about for a very long time.
My eldest daughter found John Green (and his brother Hank on YouTube) many years ago. She follows them religiously as they are frequent vloggers that love to interact with their audience.
I decided to take my daughters and one of their friends to the opening night. We had all read the book at some point in time in the last three years. Some of us had read it more then once. I had heard for months from my oldest daughter that tumblr was exploding with #TFiOS memes, gifs, quotes and posts. I have to admit, I was just as excited as the girls were because this was not my first John Green novel. The summer I picked up The Fault in Our Stars I also read Looking for Alaska and one of my all time favourites, will grayson, will grayson (co-written with David Levithan).
I have to admit, I wanted to better understand why so many young readers (a large percentage of them teen girls) were so drawn to this story of young love and the weighty issue of dealing with cancer. On the surface this is not a happy story. It is a heartbreaking one, yet there is no girl in that theater last week that wouldn’t want to see that movie over and over again. Heck, I want to see it again.
I realized that the attraction of this story is not about the tragedy of young people dying of cancer but the joy of living a full life despite this affliction. It is in fact a lesson… a reminder maybe… to us that life is very short and very precious… fragile some would say. The book was full of little gems of empowerment and wisdom. I guess that is why there have been so many memes created on tumblr. As you can see below, the landing page to log into tumblr is a picture of Hazel & Gus.
The story begins as our heroine Hazel Grace Lancaster ( Shailene Woodley) reflects on what life is all about. She is a 17 year old fighting cancer. We watch as she drags around an oxygen tank that helps her breathe as her lungs have been compromised by the disease.
At this point in time, her goal is to be able to experience as much as she can as a normal teenager. She realizes that there are limitations to what she can do but going to a cancer support group is not high on her list.
Fortuitously, she meets Gus – Augustus Waters – played by the boyishly handsome, Ansel Elgort. In attendance at the group meeting to support his friend Isaac (Nat Wolff), he becomes smitten with Hazel on first sight.
We are captured immediately by his boyish good looks and underlying arrogance… or is it death-defying self confidence? Whatever it is, it is charming and in-turn made most of the girls in the 340-seat theater sigh audibly every time he said anything remotely charming. The movie is full of quotes that could be heard throughout the movie as they were recited by the girls in the audience. It was really amazing sitting there, listening to some of these girls quote the book word-for-word.
All Copyright for graphic is credited to Kitkat Lastimosa
I quickly realized that this movie would equate Steel Magnolias or Terms of Endearment for my daughters’ generation. The kind of movies that makes you cry no matter how many times you’ve seen it.
John Green has posted on YouTube that he is thrilled with the movie version of The Fault in our Stars because it is so true to the books and the spirit of the story. I have to say, there are few movies that I think are true to the book (The original Great Gatsby, The Remains of the Day, The Help… to name a few). The fact that the author of TFiOS was on set for the majority of the shoot just goes to show that the director, Josh Boone, wanted to keep true to the story and by most accounts he did.
All Copyright for graphic is credited to Kitkat Lastimosa
As the movie progresses we follow these two strong and endearing characters struggling with the fact that they are falling in love but knowing that their time together is limited.
The original book focused on Hazel’s obsession with a book that she then shares with Gus. To his surprised, he too becomes obsessed with knowing what happened to the main characters at the end of the book. You see the book just ends mid—sentence without any explanation.
This common goal sends them to Amsterdam to question the recluse author. Williem Defoe played Peter Van Houten perfectly as an embittered, washed up drunk that sees no merit in the questions that these kids have. Having read the book over and over and over, Hazel is crushed to find that the author had no intention of enlightening them on the characters’ fate. “It is not real” was his message to them.
My heart was breaking for my daughter when she asked “why is he so mean to them?”. What do you say? Sorry kid, there are people like this all over the world and they are just as pissy and annoying and depressing and maddening as this. They are real and you will meet someone like this in your lifetime… Do I want to say that because I know its the truth? NO, I cop out and say… he’s just a character on a big movie screen.
The Fault in Our Stars hardly has any faults at all. It is a sweet sentimental, yet sad, story about two teens and their struggle to create a small piece of heaven within an short time. They live a lifetime every second they are on screen.
I loved, loved, loved #TFiOS and want do see it again sometime very soon. My suggestion to you is go when there are not so many teenage girls to punctuate the movie with sighs, sobs and line recitals. You will love it. I promise.
and a half
If you had any doubts about going… just watch the trailer:
Margarita Ibbott is a travel and lifestyle blogger. She blogs about travel in Canada, the United States and Europe giving practical advice through restaurant, hotel and attraction reviews. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and other online media outlets.
Some movies give a bad message that, “if you’re not sleeping around with lots of people, there’s something wrong with you”. Its ruining lives.
I’ve not heard of this book or movie. Sounds like a tear jerker, but one that will sit with you a long time. Great review
I absolutely loved this movie! The actor who plays Gus reminds me so much of my little brother!
Everyone seems to be into this movie. I guess it’s about time to read the book first then see the movie after!
I want to see this. A friend of mine told me about it and said to me it is something I have to see!
Many friends have watched that movie and because of lack of time, sadly I haven’t. I just know about the ending because I hear about it all the time. Yes, I know I will love it!
I think I agree with the new york times review…too predicable.
I totally love The Fault in Our Stars.. it was the perfect casting!! I can go and on and rave about this movie.
I haven’t read the book or seen the movie, I”m more of a typical guy sci-fi / super hero movie fan. But, I’m sure my wife will want to see this? Thanks for sharing the story!
That would be cool to hear them quoting the book word for word. I know my daughter would love to read the book and see the movie.
Thanks for the review. You now have me considering going to see it.
i’ve seen the trailer of this one and its looks good! they said i must read the book too
I’ve been dying to read the book. The movie looks fantastic
They really have a teen age following. The movie is more of the appreciation of life than the eventuality of death.
this is the first movie I dropped off my 12 year old and friend and left. I really need to read the book.
There is something magical about Shailene Woodley! I wish I hadn’t seen Divergent right before this, because the actor who plays Gus in Fault is her brother in the other flick. That was awful casting in my opinion, but the book was amazing and the movie will not leave you feeling like you wasted your money at all!
I haven’t read this book or seen the movie but I have seen the previews and it looks really good. I love these kinds of movies. I have come to realize that YA books see to have so much more heart and depth than other writing.
I really wanted to see this movie, but I didn’t get a chance to when it was showing around here. I have heard so many good things about the book and film alike (which your review seems to show as well). I will definitely be renting it when it comes out on DVD!
I heard alot of good things about this movie. Such a touching love story.
I have the book that I haven’t read yet. Should I watch the movie first? 🙂
The movie doesn’t really interest me, it’s not my type of movie to watch.
John Green is my favorite author. My absolute favorite book by him is Looking For Alaska, which is becoming a movie. I believe Paper Towns is becoming a movie as well! How exciting!
I have been wanting to see this movie, and now I really want to see it! Great review!!
Not my sort of movie. Thank you for the synopsis and great review though. Maybe I might see it just in case cuz I never know LOL
I don’t usually like deep dramas like this but it does sound like a good movie if you like that kind of thing.
sounds like a powerful movie. this is something my wife would want to see.
I have a hard time with SAD movies, this one seems to mix in a sweet message.
I just finally was able to check this book out from my library! Can’t wait to read it and then see the movie!
I read the book and can’t wait to see the movie. It is on the very top of my list of films to see! I love the visual of who was in the theater. Sounds about right! haha
My book club read this book earlier in the year, and when we found out they were making a movie of it, we decided to go as a group in lieu of a book discussion this month. We went to the Saturday 4:30 show and were surprised to find the theatre was NOT packed, but like you, we felt we were the only ones there who weren’t teenage girls. It was a great movie, but I agree that you need to read the book first to really get the whole feeling.
I was SO drawn to this movie and have promised myself to read the book and watch the movie as soon as we return from our trip. Your recap just sealed the deal for me! I’m so excited to go see it! I can never say no to good old fashioned romance (and a good cry…)
The lead actor was amazing. Just charming. I have not seen him in Divergent so I can’t speak to that movie but he is sooooo charming in #TFiOS.
Sounds like an interesting movie. Wonder if I can book Grandma for a babysitting night so I can get out to the movies
Kate, let me know if you go. Come back and let me know what you think. I would love to hear another adults opinion. I loved it.
I was not sure about this movie because I don’t like sad stories but now I want to see it. I want to see how they felt and lived through this tragedy
You will love it. I think if you think of A Love Story when we were kids (I mean little kids), its that same sort of thing. It will be a cult film for sure.
Wow, this movie sounds phenomenal. I will have to check it out.
The book is a wonderful read. If you can try and read it before you see it. You’ll love it.
My teen daughter and her boyfriend went to this on opening weekend and she said she cried and that her boyfriend ‘almost did’. I really want to see this…it looks like such a good movie and I love Shailene Woodley…I think she is an amazing young actress! Thanks for sharing your thoughts…I don’t want to miss this movie!
You will love it… bring kleenex. I promise you will tear up.
Oh you convinced me. I have to go see this movie. I need the book first too though.
You really have to read the book so that you can hear their voices. Unique teenage voices. So lovely.