The Fault In Our Stars- Book and Film.

Amsterdam, metaphor, An Imperial Affliction and the heart of Jesus can only mean one thing, but in this case two things, John Green’s The Fault In Our Stars and it’s movie adaptation.

The Fault In Our Stars is a young adult novel by John Green (Will Grayson Will Grayson, An Abundance Of Katherines and Looking For Alaska) that was published in 2012. It has sold multi million copies worldwide and has a legion of adoring fans both young and old so is it any wonder why there is a film adaptation? The film has an all-star cast that includes Shailene Woodley (Hazel Grace), Ansel Elgort (Augusts Waters), Nat Wolff (Isaac) and Willem Dafoe (Peter Van Houten)

So what’s it about? The Fault In Our Stars follows Hazel Grace a teenager who has cancer and all that entails. Hazel’s days consist of binge watching reality TV and rereading An Imperial Affliction (AIA), so her mother thinks that she is depressed and forces her to go to a cancer support group. After a few visits, Hazel meets a boy, Augustus Waters (Gus) who is a cancer survivor. They strike up a friendship or ‘friendship’ if you prefer, sharing their likes which then become neutral likes such as AIA, (which is a fictional story by Peter Van Houten) that ends in the middle of the story and due to this Hazel has several questions that she would like answered. The problem is that Peter Van Houten has become a recluse living in Amsterdam and has never replied to her fan mail. So will Hazel Grace ever get the answers she seeks? Can Augustus Waters help her? Will Hazel Grace survive? To find out the answers you have to read the book or watch the film.

So what happens if you commit the cardinal sin of watching the film and then reading the book, as I (Jordan) did? For starters, you do not know what is going to happen as you watch the film and so you are not waiting for a particular line or part in hope that it made it into the film. But what happens to your opinions about the film and the book? [This part contains SPOILERS so if you do not wish to know what is different from the book to the film then read no further].

A big point that you will notice, and I do not think it makes much of a difference if you watch the film first or read the book, but you notice that the film encapsulates the feel of the book completely, the tone is there, the main characters are the same, there’s still an edginess, the comic styling is still there (scene with Isaac and the trophies for instance) and the jokes are included. Therefore the film adaption is a brilliant way to become engulfed into the story (bring in new fans) and please old fans alike. But what are the main differences?

In the book Hazel Grace thinks that she is like a grenade that could explode at any time, causing damage to those around her. The reason about how she comes to think of herself this way is drastically different in the film from the book. In the film, Hazel Grace has an epiphany of this but in the book it is from learning about Augustus’ ex-girlfriend Caroline who died of brain cancer that she sees herself this way. So does this change make much of a difference? To the hard-core fan, yes but to someone who saw the film first, no as it is addressed in a way that you would not guess that it is different from the book.

Another difference is the way in which Hazel receives the eulogy for her by Augustus. In the book Hazel Grace finds out that Augustus was writing something for her but she cannot find the piece. So after some hard core thinking she realises that the piece must be with Lidewij, Peter Van Houten’s assistant.  Where as in the film, when Peter Van Houten gets into Hazel Grace’s car after Augusts’ funeral he hands her a piece of paper and tells her that she will want to read it. However Hazel Grace does not realise what the piece is until slighter later in the film. So is this a big difference? Quite simply yes, as Peter Van Houten went to Augusts funeral in the book and so the film adaptation makes it easier for Hazel Grace to find the eulogy and it makes Peter Van Houten’s visit more dramatic in a sense as it somewhat redeems him slightly for his pervious actions, whereas the book does not do this in the same sense.

So can you enjoy the book after seeing the film? Yes, although the main story is the same there are a few surprising differences that will give you the chance to look at the story in a different light.

Should you read the book if you saw the film? Yes, as John Green is a master of voice, comedy and heart felt moments and should not be missed.

If you haven’t seen the film should you? Another Yes, as Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort give outstanding performances that encapsulate the book whilst offering their unique acting talents. Also Willem Dafoe is brilliant as the not so Mr nice guy Peter Van Houten.

Overall both the book and the film are incredible and should not be missed, whilst both have aspects that are unique to them and so work swimmingly together.

Book available in all good retail stores and film has just left the cinema.

So what do you guys think?

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Jordan

Film Review: The Inbetweeners 2 (May contain spoilers!!)

Hi my Freaky Geeks, it's Rebecca again here for a film review.

Yesterday I went to the cinema to see what I hoped would be and epic sequel to an amazing film and an amazing series. I have to say that it did not disappoint.

The film...  The Inbetweeners 2.

When I first heard that there was going to be a sequel I probably had the same thought as 99% of the rest of you. This film would suck, like Neil's dad (sorry had to put it in there). And I watched the trailer and thought the same thing. I thought it would be a massive flop. It was made even worse when my brother told me they were going to kill off either Neil or Jay. So with a heavy heart I entered the cinema, paid the £5 it costs with 2 for 1 orange Wednesdays and sat down for what I thought would be the catastrophic ending of the Inbetweeners franchise. Well ten minutes into sitting there someone let off in the theatre, it was absolutely disgusting and kind of befitting for the film as they are all known for the crudeness and 'British' sense of humour. I really wasn't looking forward to it. Then it came on, and it was brilliant. They have serious 'BANTS'.

For those of you who haven't seen anything Inbetweeners, or just watched the rubbish American version then I'll explain. The story is based around four socially awkward friends getting into embarrassing situations. Sounds funny enough, and I promise most of you will be ROFLing until the cows come home. 

Here's the synposis:

Will, Jay, Neil and Simon head Down Under in this raunchy sequel to the record-breaking comedy. Last time we met the Rudge Park posse, they were causing chaos in Malia, Crete. Nearly a year on, Will (Simon Bird), Jay (James Buckley), Neil (Blake Harrison) and Simon (Joe Thomas) have gone their separate ways. Jay is staying with his uncle in Australia. Neil has actually managed to get a job. And Simon and Will are at different universities, but life isn't panning out as they'd hoped. So when Jay emails to say he's now become the biggest DJ in Australia and his life is one long party, the threesome need no encouragement to leap on a plane for a wild Easter break. Creators Damon Beesley and Iain Morris take over as co-directors of this eagerly anticipated sequel to the most successful British comedy of all time. Expect outback mayhem and big laughs!

As per usual Jay is the biggest bullshitter ever. They end up camping out in a two man tent on jay's uncles lawn the first night there. Then, following the advice of an eager Will they travel to Byron Bay where he can fail at trying to pull his first ever crush, while Simon is accused of being a peodophile and desperately tries to break up with his crazy girlfriend (Will and Neil's failed romances aren't explained), Jay tries to get Jane back after she breaks up with him and moves to Australia, and Neil... well he's Neil and has an irritable bowel. We all know where that's going.

I don't want to say much else or I'll spoil it all.

The film is funny from beginning to end. And the ending was pretty, bloody brilliant. Honestly, check out Simon's hair! 

I give it 5 stars!!!

Check it out.

xoxo

Rebecca.

In cinema's everywhere in the UK. Unsure everywhere else.