The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort star in the hit adaptation of John Green’s best-selling young adult novel.

Smart teens Augustus (Ansel Elgort) and Hazel (Shailene Woodley) are both coping with cancer – Hazel has thyroid cancer, while Gus lost his leg to the disease, but is now in remission. The pair meet at a local support group where they exchange mild flirtations and book recommendations; Gus, however, is dissatisfied with the abrupt ending to Hazel’s favourite novel and proposes tracking down the author to get some answers. Unfortunately, the reclusive Peter Van Houten (Willem Dafoe) has moved to Amsterdam and hasn’t been heard from for years, but that doesn’t stop the pair embarking on a trip to Holland, where love soon blossoms…

For just his second feature, Boone (Stuck in Love) takes on the risky task of adapting a hit novel beloved by many. Luckily for the fledgling director, The Fault in Our Stars is pitched just right, gaining critical acclaim for retaining the acerbic wit of the source material, while also satisfying those looking to get wrapped up in a good old romantic weepy.

Rising star Shailene Woodley can do no wrong at the moment, and puts in another winning performance here, while her Divergent co-star Elgort pulls off his biggest role to date. The script is penned by Scott Neustadter and Michael H Weber who wrote (500) Days of Summer and will also write the next John Green adaptation Paper Towns.