10 Reasons The Fault In Our Stars Is The Best Book-Film Adaptation In Years

3. It Has Real Edge

Along with its relatable protagonists and tearjerker of a story, The Fault In Our Stars became a bestseller because, finally, it was a young adult novel set in the real world that had genuine edge and bite. It took a satirical aim at all of the corny conventions and tropes of romance stories and tales of illness with gleeful venom. This was a story about real people containing characters who actually resembled those people. Thankfully, the film does not smooth off the edges of the story and retains the same sharp corners. It may be a little prickly for those expecting yet another sun-drenched romantic weepy from the Nicholas Sparks playbook, but for people familiar with the story, it is everything they had wanted it to be. The humour is pitch black, pulling no punches in its treatment of illness and the emotional turmoil of death. There is also not a single story thread that resolves itself neatly, as relationships and people are strewn apart in ways that are far more remniscent of real life and true existence than any damp kiss in the rain or romantic tumble in the sand. Given the brutal smoothing of many young adult franchises, it's refreshing to see a story that continues to embrace its inner darkness and maturity as it transfers from the sitting room coffee table to the local multiplex.