In less than six months, I will be a weepy emotional basket case. And today’s poster release for “The Fault in Our Stars” has triggered a pre-emptive chin quiver.
The film is based on John Green’s immensely popular YA novel of the same name. The story centers on Hazel and Gus (Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort), two extraordinary teenagers in love. They have razor sharp wit, a love of the uncommon and odd, and a wisdom beyond their years. They also have cancer. The film also features genius casting moves via Willem Dafoe as cantakerous writer Peter Van Houten and Mike Birbiglia as support group leader Patrick.
“The Fault in Our Stars” is set for a US release on June 6, 2014. What an interesting choice. If you haven’t read the book, I strongly suggest you do so before seeing the film. Don’t let the “YA” label deter you, nor should you be swayed by the “romance” factor. This is an amazing novel that any lover of the written word should experience. It not only deals with that mystical love that only the young can know, but also with the bonds of friends and family.
Also? You should probably just get prepared so you don’t make an ass of yourself in the theater with your loud, heaving sobs. And that ain’t a spoiler – it’s about kids with cancer. A friend cried so hard that the next day at work her boss pulled her aside and asked what was wrong. I cried so hard I almost threw up. And yet we still recommend this to all our friends, and most who read it will surely be glad they did.