"THE FAULT in OUR STARS" (2014) FILM REVIEW.

###As the Movie plays, my sub-conscious mind keeps on drifting back and forth from the lyrics of this song called “The Piano Man” and … shuck! … now I know why.

“THE FAULT in OUR STARS” (2014) MOVIE REVIEW

Love is a many-splendored thing. Really.

It embodies parental love, buddy love and boy-and-girl love. Life is meaningless without any form of love. Unless you will it, we are not destined to exist in this world alone.

If you love a good cry, then “THE FAULT IN OUR STARS” is nicely crafted for you. No worries, no one would dare to say you are pathetic. Because you are not by yourself nursing your grief.

The TRUTH is, someone in my neighborhood whom I am acquainted with is suffering from terminal cancer as I pen this Review. No name, as he’s not a buddy but his affliction has brought me a step closer to the man and his lot.

Should I say that this Article is kind-of-a-tribute to him?

“THE FAULT IN OUR STARS” depicts the doomed romance of two cancer victims GUS (ANSEL ELGORT)  and HAZEL (SHAILENE WOODLEY) who believe they are fated to meet, therefore they cling to each other for emotional support.

The film is set to tug at your heartstrings and stimulate your tear ducts.

It has been inspired by the 6th novel penned by author JOHN GREEN, which was published in January 2012.

In my own words I would rate this movie as “vivid, immediate, engaging and well worth seeing”.

It is directed by JOSH BOONE and he has helmed a beautiful production.

The tale is narrated by a 16 year old cancer patient named HAZEL  (SHAILENE WOODLEY) who’s been coaxed by her dutiful parents to attend a social support group to “get her out of her shell”.

The inevitable happens. She meets and falls in love with a 17 -year old AUGUSTUS WALTER (ANSEL ELGORT) , an ex-basketball player and amputee.

This is where the “heartwarming process” starts in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Because of her cancer, HAZEL uses a portable oxygen tank to breathe comfortably. She tugs this with her, wherever she goes.

In one of the support meetings she meets GUS, the leading actor.

He’s there to lend moral support for their mutual friend, ISAAC (NAT WOLFF).

Isaac has a tumor in one eye that has been surgically removed, and now he has to have his other eye taken out as well.

GUS happily tells HAZEL that she resembles Natalie Portman and invites HAZEL to his house to watch one of Portman’s movies.

HAZEL reveals that she has thyroid cancer that has spread to her lungs. GUS had osteosarcoma but is cured after he has his leg amputated.

The mood-and-tone is morbid, perhaps. But this is how the doomed romance blossoms.

“A heart-breaking flick, crisply written and made with brutal fascination. The acting is terrific.”

Both SHAILENE WOODLEY and ANSEL ELGORT share an affable onscreen chemistry and pitch in memorable performances.

To sum it all up, “THE FAULT IN OUR STARS” is powerful as much as it is unforgettable.

Don’t let the subject matter alarm you.

Loving someone deeply through severe sickness is always a task.

But no matter whatever the circumstances, screen leads GUS and HAZEL share a divine love for each other, often giving something of themselves in the process.

You will be reminded to take time to live life as you should and soak in the “moments”. Do not take people around us for granted.

Your loved ones cannot be around to root for you forever.

Like everything else, there’s no permanence to people and relationships.

And you gonna believe this.

RATING: 4 out of 5.

LOCAL DISTRIBUTOR: 20th CENTURY FOX MALAYSIA