Directed by: Josh Boone
Casts: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, William Dafoe, Laura Dern
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Release Date: 17 July 2014 (Malaysia, Nationwide)
Hazel Grace is a teenage girl suffering from terminal thyroid cancer for as long as she can remember. Often sarcastic with her views on what's left of her life, she meets Augustus Waters, a cancer survivor at a local cancer support group. The two became friends and as their relationship grew stronger, Hazel begins to find life is worth living after all.
Praises: Most people would inadvertently weep during one of the many emotional scenes in the movie. I didn't, not because it wasn't heartbreakingly sad (trust me, it is) but simply because I find the film to be graciously (no pun intended) beautiful.
There's so much to cry on in TFIOS - many which I will let you to discover on your own but generally what touches my heart most is the beauty of life illustrated in the story. How precious and limited it is, how so many of us squander life without second thoughts. How, in midst of despair, a little hope can light up even the darkest pit and give us a reason to live. Most people go through the motions of life, but how many of us really live in the moment? Each of these moments could be the last for Hazel, and within the time frame of 2 hours, director Josh Boone captured the essence of life that could take us a lifetime to discover.
Some scenes made me laugh out loud. Certain ones are downright heart-wrenching. Whether you go in for a romantic treat, or to rip open your tear duct, or to laugh and to look at life differently, TFIOS has something for everyone. Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort both gave a stunning brilliance performance, so much that when I look at them, all I see are Hazel and Gus persevering against all odds of life. Extended applause must be given to Laura Dern and Sam Trammell who played Hazel's parents, for their strong and convincing acts provide audience a wholesome view on the struggle against cancer - both from the patient's and those around them.
Embrace yourself for a roller-coaster ride of emotions, for TFIOS with its catchy scores and richly-written script and talented casts will definitely give you a lasting impression and thoughts to ponder on.
Complains: I can't seem to shake off the feeling that certain parts of the film felt reserved, like as if Josh Boone is holding back when exploring the deeper and darker parts of cancer fighting. Maybe there's a reason for him to stay clear off those waters, but whatever it may be it certainly hindered the film from achieving more than it did.
Rating: 8.2/10
Hit or Miss: One of the best of its kind, TFIOS is an experience that demands to be felt. Hit.
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