The Fault in Our Stars

Movie Pilot

Opening with a similar narration to that of Little Manhattan, The Fault in Our Stars' protagonist, Hazel Grace Lancester (the can't-do-wrong Shailene Woodley) informs us that her love story isn't the happiest or most uplifting - it's just the way it is. And as much as it breaks the audience's heart, the film's truthfulness supersedes our need for a happy ending, even though we'd do anything to see Hazel and her beau Augustus (Ansel Elgort) get one.

Diagnosed in her early teen years, 17-year-old Hazel struggles with the side effects of her cancer every day, including an excess of fluid in her lungs. Mrs. Lancester is almost certain her ill, indoorsy daughter is depressed, and so her doctor recommends a teen cancer support group. That's where she meets Augustus, an 18-year-old leg amputee who is happily cancer free. Boasting the looks and confidence every boy wishes he had, Augustus approaches Hazel, looks her in the eye, and tells her she's beautiful. I'm assuming most fangirls who read that sentence are already starting to tear up again.

As the two develop a bond, Augustus's spirit inspires in Hazel the idea that even though oblivion is inevitable, it's still a good life, and love is not only a reality, but a necessity. Augustus proves to be the new king of originality, taking Hazel everywhere from his basement to Amsterdam in their quest to make the most of their time together. But as virtually all cinematic productions promise, all good things must come to an end (including this movie).

The characters are fully worthy of my praise as a reviewer. Hazel and Augustus force viewers to embrace mortality in their own lives, as well as encouraging us to take chances (although making out in Anne Frank's attic may have been a step too far). The two never define themselves until the very end, when Hazel says a line something like "I'm his girlfriend…not that it matters," solidifying the idea that Hazel and Augustus' romance transcends any label or title you could give it. What those two had was simply love.

Shailene Woodley is continuously climbing the Hollywood ladder to A-list status with her emotionally powerful performance as Hazel, while Ansel Elgort lights up the screen in ways I have truly never seen before with his screen time as Augustus. The movie also manages to take a respectfully humorous approach to a rather touchy subject, similar to 50/50's format.

Although awards season doesn't pick up for another few months, I can already tell The Fault in Our Stars will be one of the best movies of 2014. It is by one of the best, if not the best, romance movies of the decade. It's heartbreaking, touching, funny, and above all else, conveys a sense of reality in its approach. Just go watch it. Okay?

Rating: 4.5/5