The Fault In Our Stars Exclusive Fan Screening - Thursday 12th June 2014

"Some infinities are bigger than other infinities"

~

I've been wanting to write a blog post on The Fault In Our Stars from the minute I finished the book months ago but I wanted to wait until I had seen the film adaptation before I wrote of it's greatness and made any comparisons between the two. I got the opportunity to see the film at my local cinema a week before the national UK release of the film last Thursday evening and just, wow.

You know the feeling when you walk out of a film that you have really enjoyed? You start to feel different and a little odd as you live for a while in between their world and ours. The Fault In Our Stars was one of those films, and only one film has made me feel like this which was Perks of Being a Wallflower.

I had never previously been to an advanced screening of a film but with a film created around my all time favourite book, I deemed it necessary. The advanced screening involved watching the film a week before everyone else, being a room full of people who have read and enjoyed the book (I hope), a Q&A with cast, director and author at the end of the movie and loads of free and exclusive goodies such as a giant movie poster and fan lanyard.

My friend introduced me to the wonders of John Green's literature around about a year ago and I instantly fell in love with his work. I love the style in which he writes and despite him being in his adulthood, he creates such truthful and honest teenage characters.

I believe that everyone in the English speaking world knows of the story of The Fault in Our Stars but let's give those of you that are not aware a little overview. Boy meets girl, or Hazel Lancaster and Augustus Waters meet, because they are not like average human beings. They are bonded by a sickening illness that is cancer but that doesn't ruin the true affection that they have for one another. The Fault in Our Stars is the inside look at their love story from start to bitter end and everything inbetween. Everything from their first time, their "cancer perk" trip to Amsterdam and the support group meetings. If you haven't had chance to read the book, I'd advise so strongly because it is a remarkable book full of love and relatable quotes. Oh and spoiler alert - neither Peter Van Houten, the eccentric, drunk author Hazel admires in the book, or his book An Imperial Affliction exist in real life, sorry.

Many film adaptations of successful books are not faithful to the text and miss out vital parts that audiences emphasised with. However, The Fault in Our Stars is an exception. Before they screened the film at my local cinema at the advanced screening, they showed a clip of author John Green stating that he had never seen a film so faithful to the book, and boy was he right?! The film is almost word for word. Every important, breathtaking, emotional moment from the book was in the film displayed in incredible detail. Every beautiful quote was emphasised and used to piece their love story.

I'm not trying to over exaggerate or show off my tendency to get overly emotional at sad films, but it is strongly advised by me, others who have seen the film, doctors, psychiatrists and the rest of society that you bring tissues to the cinema with you when seeing this film. It's raw emotion and strong theme of cancer combined with the aching love and empathy you gain for Hazel and Augustus will reduce you to tears. The Fault In Our Stars almost unites people due to crying. At the advanced screening I attended, I wouldn't be lying if I said that everyone was crying violently for the last 20-30 minutes of the film and one girl even had to exit the auditorium due to sheer emotion overload. As the credits rolled up at the end, everyone turned to their friends for light words (I say words, however, most of these words were expressed through heavy sobbing and sniffling) of encouragement and to discuss what parts made us lose our sanity a little.

All emotion and extensive crying aside, the cast choices were perfect. Ansel Elgort, who plays the lovable and affectionate Augustus, was witty, bold and charismatic throughout. There are many laughs within the film, mainly provided by Ansel, mixed in amongst the sadness. Hazel is played by Shailene Woodley, who play's Ansel brother in the film adaptations of the Divergent book series. Both cast members stressed in the Q&A video after the advanced screening that it was hard to play characters who had cancer since neither of them had suffered from this illness previously, but they pulled it off tremendously. The connection between Shailene and Ansel was electrifying and deeply real.

I also like to judge films based on their soundtracks and my expectations of the soundtrack for this movie were well and truly met. It features a lot of songs that match the mood and continuity of the movie and loads of original tracks by the likes of Birdy and Ed Sheeran. Well worth an in depth listen.

You may also find it surprising and also slightly upsetting to know that John Green's one scene in the film was cut by film editors. I have no clue why because it was brilliant. However, movies can only be so long.

I would like to thank John Green and director Josh Boone for once again ruining my life and crushing my soul with this incredible and mesmerizing film. If you're looking for another John Green book to enjoy once The Fault In Our Stars has finally progressed through your system, I would recommend Looking For Alaska, and NO, it is not the same concept as The Fault In Our Stars!

The Fault In Our Stars is released in the UK on Thursday 19th June nationwide and I stress deeply that you take time to see this film as it is sincerely does not disappoint.