The Fault in Our Stars

Okay, Hazel Grace? Moments of laughter, moments of tears – and the whole time with clenched fists, cheering for one miracle. The stars might not have been on Jim's side, but they were on ours. Because we could witness a captivating, intimate, and deeply personal love story. Personal not because Augustus has a Mass Effect poster at home or because he watches Buffy the Vampire Slayer with Hazel. Not even because I would definitely date a grenade of a girl. No, it's because until the very last breath, I admire how two people – despite illnesses, pain, and heart-wrenching disappointments looming every day – can give each other everything. And those who have loved before understand that a smile with tear-filled eyes is a constant state when it comes to these Stars. (12/06/2014)

I wouldn't have watched this film alone, but considering I watched it at school amongst all girls, it definitely had charm. The film was unexpectedly funny, enjoyable, entertaining, and powerfully moving towards the end. The leading couple was awesome, Ansel Elgort gave a perfect performance, he was on point with the girls and I will definitely use more than one strategy from him in the future. Probably the top of the genre. 80%. (01/12/2014)

It's a shame that this film will find its place among my favorites, and yet I will probably never watch it again. Because Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort gave some of the most natural acting performances. That's why it's a shame, and why I won't be watching it again. Because if they hadn't been so great, I wouldn't be so taken with it. And I don't even have words for the story. (20/05/2015)

It's not the power of the premise or the media hype that makes this quality film a hit. What would The Shawshank Redemption be, with its potential for acting, plot and ideas, if it were filmed conventionally, aimed solely at reliable and convenient one-dimensional themes, and if it relied solely on all audiences having enough humanity and automatic empathy to appreciate it simply because it carries a laudable message? The Fault in Our Stars has a great cast and a commendable idea, but it's kitsch of the coarsest grain, which I have no need to see again in my life and which, despite all the cute faces and touching hugs, failed to tell me anything new. Both love and death are a given in life, and there are many other films that make me appreciate the former indescribably more and take the latter as a harmless, if unwelcome, companion. 65% (12/11/2015)

A self-aware mix of romance and drama (a classic trend of recent years), with just the right amount of both. Too bad about the drawn-out ending, though, which may be too sentimental, but understandable considering the catharsis and the film's tone, but it never descends into awkwardness or pathos. The chemistry of the two leads is excellent, with a great Shailene Woodley, who will significantly overshadow Jennifer Lawrence in the future. (13/07/2014)