THE FAULT IN OUR STARS Extended Digital HD – Movie Review
The Fault in Our Stars
PG-13..•..Drama, Romance
126 min | Extended: 134 min.
the fault in our stars
DIRECTOR: .Josh Boone
WRITERS: .Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber
the fault in our stars
Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff,
Laura Dern, Sam Trammell, Willem Dafoe,
Lotte Verbeek, Mike Birbiglia, Emily Peachey
the fault in our stars
Grade:. ★★★★☆
SYNOPSIS: Hazel (Shailene Woodley) and Gus (Ansel Elgort) share a sarcastic sense of humor, a distaste for the conventional, and ultimately a love that sweeps them on an unforgettable journey. Although the two teens face unlikely challenges, their courage and dedication to each other prove that while life isn’t perfect, love can still be extraordinary. Laura Dern (Little Fockers) and Sam Trammell (TV’s True Blood) also star in this powerfully moving film based on John Green’s New York Times best-selling novel.
the fault in our stars
I don’t usually agree to review movies that are likely to end with me making a public display of feelings. It’s not because I don’t have them — I do — it’s that I’m just not comfortable sharing deep feelings with strangers. (No offense.) So, admittedly, I resisted The Fault in Our Stars, at first in theory — if you have to ask why, click here — and later, in fact, when reading John Green’s beautiful novel caused me to devolve, uncontrollably, into a puddle of tears…in public.
For me and others like me, however, the The Fault in Our Stars Extended Version Digital HD — 8 minutes longer than the theatrical version — offered the perfect compromise: The opportunity to see what all the fuss was about (without having to wait for the September Blu-ray/DVD release), and to ride this intense emotional roller coaster, while snugly ensconced in my emotional safe-space (i.e., my bed), fully (er…mostly…ok, somewhat) prepared to relish in whatever feelings might come.
And boy, did they ever come.
For a young adult/YA novel-to-film adaptation, The Fault in Our Stars stays remarkably true to its source material. Though the movie changes a handful of the novel’s plot points — such as omitting some of Isaac’s (Nat Wolff) story — it is, overall, dedicated to the book’s vision in plot and tone. Despite its dire circumstances, The Fault in Our Stars refuses to mire itself in the dour aspects of the characters’ lives, instead looking for the bright side of every minute, and often finding acerbic-but-laugh-out-loud-funny moments.
On the other hand, be prepared: This is a bring-your-own-tissues, emotional wrecking ball of a movie. Its poignant power comes, in large part, from the moving performances of its truly talented cast. From Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort’s tragic protagonists, to their sidekick (Wolff) and supportive parental figures (Laura Dern and Sam Trammell), everyone brings their heart-rending A-game.
Almost every love story is manipulative in some way, shape, or form. Some endeavor to make a fundamentally unlikeable character likeable; some strive to prove that love really can happen at first sight (or in a matter of days or weeks); and others struggle with redemption and convincing the audience that a protagonist deserves forgiveness. What makes The Fault in Our Stars special in this regard is that neither Hazel (Woodley) nor Gus (Elgort) is unlikeable, Ansel Elgort’s smile could make most girls believe in love at first sight, and neither character dwells too long on any perceived slight to require redemption. From their meet cute on — and despite knowing that a storybook ending is not fated — you’ll wish desperately for these star-crossed lovers to get the happily ever after they so deserve. No manipulation necessary.
It was a privilege to have my heart broken by you, The Fault in Our Stars — despite, and maybe even a little bit for, all the tears (of which there were so, so many). At least I can say I’ve done my part for Puffs’ and Kleenex’s shareholders this year…and I can imagine few better reasons than The Fault in Our Stars.
The Fault in Our Stars is available now on Digital HD,
and hits Blu-ray/DVD on September 16.
the fault in our stars
Connect with The Fault in Our Stars:
Website..•..Facebook..•..@TheFaultMovie
G+..•..Instagram..•..Tumblr..•..YouTube
the fault in our stars
★…BUY / PRE-ORDER…★
(Digital HD: Now Available | Blu-ray/DVD: September 16)
iTunes..•..Amazon: Little Infinities Edition..•..Blu-ray/DVD..•..DVD
Fox Digital HD..•..FoxConnect..•..Flixster..•..Google Play..•..YouTube..•..VUDU
the fault in our stars
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SPECIAL FEATURES
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Little Infinities Edition Blu-ray™
• Extended Version
• Extended Cut Audio Commentary by Josh Boone and John Green
• 6 Deleted Scenes (Including Commentary)
• The Stars Align: Book to Screen
• Plus all of the features on the DVD
Blu-ray™
• Audio Commentary by Josh Boone and John Green
• 6 Deleted Scenes (Including Commentary)
• The Stars Align: Book to Screen
• Plus all of the features on the DVD
DVD
• Theatrical Cut Audio Commentary by Josh Boon and John Green
• Promotional Featurettes: The Cast, The Making of The Fault In Our Stars, The Transformation, Literature to Life, Our Little Infinity, The Music Behind Our Stars
• Gallery
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Featured Image (Photo Credit: James Bridges) and Poster: © 2014 20th Century Fox Film Corp. | Box Art: © 2014 20th Century Fox Home Ent.
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