There are no faults but plenty of stars. Let’s recap.

We’re introduced to teenage cancer survivor Hazel (Shailene Woodley). She’s had thyroid cancer and it damaged her lungs so she must travel with an oxygen tank. Her mother encourages her to go to a cancer counseling meeting where she meets slightly older Gus (Ansel Elgort) who lost a leg to cancer the previous year. Hazel is trying to keep her distance but Gus is persistent and with humor and charm wins Hazel’s affections.

Hazel’s dream is to speak with the author of her favorite book. She has many questions to ask this man, Peter Van Houten (Willem Dafoe), but he lives in Amsterdam and won’t answer her queries unless she travels to The Netherlands to meet him. At first her medical condition and her parents’ limited finances prevent her from traveling overseas, but Gus arranges with a make-a-wish foundation to make her dream of meeting Van Houten come true. The journey yields bittersweet surprises as the two star-crossed lovers attempt to meet their many challenges.

Greg, I agree that the quality of this film is surprising. Given the topic, the movie could easily have devolved into a forgettable made-for-TV level product. But it didn’t. We’re treated to two stellar performances from Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort, whose moving depiction of two cancer-ridden teens in love is deeply inspiring. These are two great characters whom we like for their intelligence, courage, and realism. They were highly convincing in these difficult roles to play.

Hazel is the primary hero of the story, although one could argue that she and Augustus are duo heroes. I think of Hazel as the main hero because she narrates the story and also because she is the character who grows and evolves as events unfold all around her. Hazel is transformed by Augustus and also by Anne Frank, whose recorded voice in Amsterdam inspires Hazel to hold onto hope and savor the beauty and love all around her. The hero journey evokes painful emotions but somehow manages to be uplifting, too.

Greg, it is true that cancer is the villain of this story. It is tempting to say that the author whom Hazel adores, Peter Van Houten, plays a villain role. But Van Houten is very much a character reminiscent of Angelina Jolie’s character in Maleficent. Like her, Van Houten is embittered by loss and is redeemed by love. His rude, jerky behavior actually helps bring Hazel and Gus together, as they consummate their love shortly after their dark encounter with him.

The Fault In Our Stars directly tackles two of the heaviest themes in storytelling: Love and Death. Such a jarring collision with these topics could have yielded sappy, disastrous results, but this movie has the biggest heart of any film I’ve seen in years. Woodley and Elgort carry the show masterfully and made everyone in the theater cry. I give this film a heartfelt 5 out of 5 Reels.

Every hero sets out on an important journey, and in The Fault In Our Stars Hazel’s blossoming relationship with Gus and trip to Amsterdam transforms her on many different levels. Hazel is an unforgettable hero, and Gus is her unforgettable mentor, lover, friend, and symbol of life and hope. The hero and her friends, allies, and companions are all present in full-form and are quite moving. I give Hazel 5 out of 5 Heroes.

As you note, Greg, the film’s villain, cancer, is hard to evaluate. Cancer doesn’t have an intriguing backstory like a human villain would have. Cancer doesn’t have interesting facial expressions, quirky mannerisms, henchmen, or a diabolical laugh. But cancer is the Adolf HItler of diseases, a horrific affliction that attacks and torments its victims on every conceivable level. The Fault In Our Stars does a fine job illustrating all the terrible ways that cancer destroys a human. It’s hard to assign a villain rating but I’d say this film’s effective depiction of cancer deserves 4 out of 5 Villains.

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