“I believe we have a choice in this world about how to tell sad stories. On one hand, you can sugarcoat it. When nothing is too messed up can’t be fixed with a Peter Gabriel song. I like that version as much as the next girl. It’s just not the truth. This is the truth. I’m sorry.”

Hazel Grace Lancaster was diagnosed with stage IV thyroid cancer when she was 13 which eventually ended with her gaining a new friend: an oxygen tank. Years later, Hazel is forced by her mother to attend a support group in the ‘literal heart of Jesus.’ There, she meets an undeniably attractive boy by the name of Augustus Waters, nicknamed ‘Gus’, who immediately takes interest in her. Thus begins an epic love story.

‘The Fault in our Stars” is a movie based on the young adult novel by John Green. This movie is definitely geared towards young adults because it is centered on a love story of two teens with cancer. That just screams teenage girl. However, this story is not just about love and cancer. It’s about the infinite numbers between zero and one. (That will only make sense for those who read the book and/or watch the movie.)

Although turning a widely known and loved book into a movie is a difficult feat, director Josh Boone did a wonderful job organizing the cast and remaining faithful to the book. Green also spent many hours on the set helping direct the movie and making sure nothing was changed that did not need to be. His work on the movie definitely shows.

Hazel Grace is portrayed by Shailene Woodley. Her performance as Hazel was commendable, but was not what I had hoped it would be. Woodley was in ‘Divergent’ earlier this year, and there was no difference in her acting between the two movies. Augustus Waters is played by Ansel Elgort. His portrayal of Gus was utterly remarkable. Everything down to the crooked grin was spot on. His charm is sure to make all the girls swoon when they watch this movie.

People who have read the book will notice that many of their favorite quotes, scenes and people made the cut. There were, however, a few which did not make it into the movie or were changed, including the swing set ordeal, Gus’s family, Hazel’s friend Kaitlyn and Gus’ ex-girlfriend Caroline Mathers, who died of brain cancer and had a huge effect on Gus and Hazel in the book. Despite these changes, it was not enough to distract from the story.

‘The Fault in our Stars’ is a tear jerker, not unlike any other movie that involves cancer-stricken characters. It would be wise to bring a couple of tissues…or the whole box…to the theater. Do not be afraid to let out a sob or two, just to let the person next to you know that it is okay to ugly-cry, because that is what they will be doing.

This movie is worth the time and money for everyone, except macho men who never cry and do not like to feel emotions, because “that’s the thing about pain…it demands to be felt.”

Click here to read the book review of “The Fault in Our Stars.”