However, technically speaking this isn't a book blog post, there will be many of those to come as I make my way through the mountain of books that I have been itching to read. But for today, I'm going to write about the film adaptation of The Fault in Our Stars.
I went to see the film on Thursday with my friends Kirstie and Nic in Birmingham, and it exceeded my expectations. But although I was so excited to see the film, from the trailer and casting I had doubts about how good the film could be compared to how much I loved the book. In my eyes Augustus was exceptionally good looking and arrogant, and on the surface Ansel didn't appear to meet my criteria. Also, I know how films can miss out really important events and themes from the books, and completely destroy them, and part of me didn't want this brilliant book to be destroyed by a film which has just been made for entertainment and isn't true to the book (particularly bad films of books include My Sister's Keeper and Percy Jackson - the books are SO much better)
This is not the case with TFIOS. All of the details are there, some of the best direct quotes from the book, the attention to detail is incredible. The changes they do make are only tiny, they make it a little more teenagery (about having a crush which actually works v well) and the ending a little bit, but again it's still true to the book and it just works.
You know how as you read a book you have a mental image of everything, the scene, the characters? It was like someone had just taken that vision and placed it onto the cinema screen (Gus's room was EXACTLY as I pictured it, it was weird to see!) And Ansel played Gus perfectly despite my doubts. He was loud and confident, yet sweet and caring, cheesily charming yet a little feisty.
I was expecting it to be emotional, it's a cancer story and a character dies = sad, but I don't think anyone who watched TFIOS is prepared for the roller-coaster ride of ups and downs (haha hardcore TFIOS fans appreciate the reference) that you experience during the couple of hours sitting in front of the cinema screen. A real loving and strong relationship is built before your eyes, from Gus' attempts to attract Hazel's attention, to the constant messaging, to them completely falling for each other, so when that is torn away from us at the end it's no surprise that all you hear around you in the room is loud wailing noises. But asides from being very sad and more sad and crying oceans sad, the film also managed to capture the "life changing think about everything uplifting" feel you got from the book which I wrote about here (ooh fancy editing skills and things, might start taking this blog thing more seriously) Both of the characters fight till the end, they show such determination to do things for themselves, they are not their illness. I don't know about you but I find that so inspiring, the spirit and determination and it just makes me feel like I should tackle anything that comes my way.
So basically, if you're undecided about seeing TFIOS, you should definitely see it.
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