Dozens and dozens of literary adaptations from The Mortal Instruments to Eragon and the almost unforgettable Stormbreaker have been doomed by the desire for Hollywood gloss. In transferring one person's authorial vision into the control of a wallet-conscious Hollywood studio, there is inevitably going to be compromise. However, The Fault In Our Stars is a prime example of how a young adult adaptation can thrive on a small budget and without the pressure of a Hollywood fat cat jamming their wads of cash in between the characters. Made for a tiny estimated budget of $12m, the film is a low-key production from start to finish that has more in common with a festival-touring indie release than an enormous summer tentpole. With the money it's making, it is so far completing the impossible feat of being both of those things at once. The movie never feels under pressure to conform to Hollywood stereotypes and it is a much richer experience because of that fact. It's true to its source material and true to its fans, which is all that audiences really want. It doesn't need fancy effects or A-list cast members to be a success, it just needs intelligent story-telling and actors who are committed to their roles. The Fault In Our Stars is a shining example of how strong a book-film adaptation can be if it is done with care, attention and identity. It should herald the start of a new wave for teen cinema, focusing on maturity and wit above explosions and high concepts. Audiences will leave the film teary, emotional and utterly awestruck. This is a film that demands to be experienced in the cinema.
Freelance film journalist and fan of professional wrestling. Usually found in a darkened screening room looking for an aisle seat and telling people to put away their mobile phones. Also known to do a bit of stand-up comedy, so I'm used to the occasional heckle.
