The Fault in Our Stars is a 2014 romantic drama directed by Josh Boone, starring Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, and Willem Dafoe.  Based on the novel of the same name by John Green, the story follows a sixteen-year-old cancer patient, Hazel (Woodley) who is forced by her parents to attend a support group, where she meets and subsequently falls in love with Augustus Waters (Ansel Elgort), another cancer patient.

Positives:

• Terrific performances
• Terrific script
• Great characters
• Great story
• Great cast

Negatives:

• n/a

Plot: This story is really compelling and does a great job of establishing the characters in this very common situation. The film does touch on cancer patients as well as surviving cancer patients and how they deal with having cancer and how they see life. The film does come to a sad but really hopeful ending. (4 out of 5)

Characters: The film does feature some really good characters. Hazel  (Woodley) is the main female lead protagonist is really likeable and due to the situation that she’s in is a really sympathetic character. She does she does show vulnerability but she also shows a lot of character. Augustus (Elgort) is the main male protagonist and a likable guy.  He’s laid-back, he knows how to have fun and the relationship between these two characters is really good.  Frannie (Dern) and Michael (Trammell) are Hazel’s parents and they are sympathetic.  They have a daughter who’s diagnosed with cancer and seeing how they deal makes them likable and relatable.  Isaac (Wolff) is a really good character.  Peter van Houten (Dafoe) is a complicated character.  Initially he comes off as a drunken douchebag who is unlikable, but he does undergo good character development. (5 out of 5)

Cast: Great Performances all round. Shailene Woodley is just terrific she manages to break a very captivating performance to the film. Ansel Elgort does a fantastic job. Woodley and Elgort have really good chemistry on screen.  Nat Wolff, Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, and Willem Dafoe are good. (5 out of 5)

Visuals: The film does look good visually. (3 out of 5)

Score: The score is actually pretty good. Kudos to Mike Mogis and Nate Walcott for the music.  (3 out of 5)

Writing: The script is really good. It does a great job of emphasizing the dramatic moments. It does go at a good pace while addressing a societal taboo. The directing was on point, kudos to Josh Boone for giving audiences a great movie.  (4 out of 5)

The Verdict: In the end, The Fault in Our Stars is a terrific movie. Not only does it focus on the effects of cancer but also on the people and their lives and their relationships. This story is just compelling and the characters are so likable and relatable. The performances are just top notch.  The Fault in Our Stars gets 4 out of 5.