The Fault in Our Stars is well-made but struck a nerve with me.
5.5 out of 10
In his review of the film, Bill Goodykoontz of the Arizona Republic said, "If you don't cry or snort or at least tear up a little at some point during Josh Boone's film version of the popular young-adult novel by John Green, you're a pretty cold fish."
Well Mr. Goodykoontz, I suppose I am the coldest of fish.
Check out the trailer here:
And as I re-watch the trailer, I want to love this movie... but I simply do not. Believe me, there is nothing I love more than being emotionally destroyed by a movie but this one came nowhere close.
As far as movies go, this one is well made. The director clearly knew what he was doing and the way text messages and emails are incorporated into the movie is very cute. Acting wise, I have no major complaints. Both leads were great and did a solid job bringing the characters to life.
I did read the book. In fact, I binge read it in a 24 hour, insomnia ridden period. I walked into school the following day and voiced my discontent with the book. I had found myself getting very annoyed with the characters, but attributed that to my lack of sleep. But, by the end of the book, I felt nothing and I frankly felt like a jerk. I still had every intention of seeing the movie and hoped that actually seeing the story unfold would help bring the emotion to life. It did, in a very miniscule way. However, as soon as I walked out of the theater, I made eye contact with one of my friends, smiled, and said, "I hated it." She did too. I find something about this movie very off-putting, so much so that I considered getting up and walking out thrice.
Rotten Tomatoes, my movie review bible, gives this movie an 82% and calls it, "Wise, funny, and heartbreaking."
Let's start there!
Is it funny? Not really. It tries to lighten the mood but I didn't really laugh once. I was further frustrated when the theater was filled with giggles when characters stared at each other. I kid you not, every time the characters stared at each other for more than 2 seconds, the audience would giggle! Because I find the characters so unfunny, every joke they make seemed distasteful, which made me think the characters were mean, even though they clearly weren't trying to be. To the movie's credit, making jokes about dying of cancer as a teen is a difficult job. However, "cancer perks", certain perks kids with cancer receive, are not funny.
If its goal was to make teenage girls cry, it succeeded. The last half hour of the movie could barely be heard over the sea of sniffles and sobs that surrounded me. However, I wasn't heartbroken. I mean, I saw the tragedy coming a mile away. We all did! When it finally comes, it's "whatever". One of my friends expertly stated something along the lines of, "The tragedy isn't in their love but rather the fact they are dying at such a young age." In that case, I suppose I understand a little more.
As for wisdom, it has more than most of the movies marketed at teenagers. The part I found most intriguing about this movie was the idea of family life continuing after losing a child to cancer. The idea of death is a heavy one to handle and this movie does a pretty good job with it. It doesn't really discuss anything particularly insightful but was thought-provoking, in that I caught myself starting off into space and thinking more than once. So while the movie doesn't really provide any great wisdom, it may make you think a little more than most movies.
One of my biggest problems was with the "ultra-dreamy" Augustus Waters, the leading man. One of my friends described him as "too perfect." Indeed. He walks around annoyingly and impossibly happy. He says ridiculous things like, "It would be a pleasure to have my heart broken by you, Hazel Grace." And don't even get me started on his cigarette metaphor. The one thing I like about him is his obsession with leaving his mark on the world. A concept that was glossed over, much to my despair.
Is it terrible? Absolutely not. Is it overhyped? Absolutely. If you think you'll enjoy it, I recommend you see it. You'll probably enjoy it! I just had some issues with the material itself. Don't judge me for that! Okay?
Okay.
The Fault in Our Stars is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some sexuality and brief strong language.
Tags: drama, comedy, PG-13, pg13, the fault in our stars, fault, stars, romance
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