Based on the book of the same name, The Fault in Our Stars did extremely well with both audiences and critics. The film was nominated for and won multiple awards, particularly the Teen Choice Awards and Young Hollywood Awards. The two leads, Ansel Elgort and Shailene Woodley, had breakout performances, which made a movie dealing with serious subject matter all the more watchable.
What is The Fault in Our Stars About?
Hazel and Augustus are two teenagers dealing with cancer. They both meet at a support group and grow to be close friends. Bonded not only by their illness, they find they have much more in common – their outlook on life, their love of literature, and their sense of humor.
There is a book that they two read called ‘An Imperial Affliction’ written by Dutch author, Peter van Houten. The (fictitious) book has an abrupt ending, which Augustus considers unfinished and even rude. This starts the quest to know how the book ends. Augustus and Hazel decide to go visit the author to seek answers.
Once the travelers get to Amsterdam, where van Houten lives, they expect to find the distinguished author living among his books and manuscripts. Instead, they find a mean, belligerent drunk. Worse yet, the author is quite hostile and unwilling to talk to them. Augustus and Hazel try to make the best of their trip, do some sightseeing, and then travel back home.
Once the couple is back stateside, unfortunately, Augustus’s cancer returns. He eventually passes away towards the end of the movie. With newfound strength, Hazel does not let this deter her spirit. In a turn of events, Peter van Houten visits. There are many themes in this movie that align with life, strength, and resolution.
What are the Lessons from The Fault in Our Stars?
Besides the largest conflict our characters grapple with, both Augustus and Hazel show the audience that life is so much more than being a cancer patient. They enjoy nature, art, and books. The couple also strives to seek a deeper meaning in life.
Another theme that this movie plays with is that it’s best not to expect something to be like it is in your mind‘s eye. In the case of van Houten (Willem Dafoe), Augustus and Hazel imagined him to be sophisticated and knowledgeable. What they found was a man who was dealing with his own demons. This gave them a reality check.
Lastly, although it is a complete tearjerker when Augustus passes away, Hazel is appreciative of the time she spent with him. The Fault in Our Stars shows us that no matter how brief a relationship is, it still counts. Hazel and Augustus shared a strong bond, and because of that, their lives were changed forever.
A Few Final Thoughts
As sad as The Fault in Our Stars is, it’s a satisfying watch. Shailene and Ansel, who have great chemistry, perfectly embody Hazel and Augustus. The life lessons learned in The Fault in Our Stars might come at a cost (particularly later for Augustus), but are worth seeking. Like the famous quote by Tennyson, “’Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.”
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