15 Awesome Films Since 2000 You'll Never Watch Again
7. The Fault In Our Stars
Plot:
A romantic and melodramatic tearjerker, this is an exceptionally sad story about two young cancer patients who share a romance.
Why It's Awesome:
This was unexpectedly good and thanks to its well-written script and amazing performances it will succeed in making you cry.
Why You'll Never Watch It Again:
There are many sad romantic dramas out there which try to tug on the heartstrings (such as every single Nicholas Sparks movie) but there are very few that fulfill that task as much as The Fault in Our Stars.
Aside from that awful scene in which the couple first kiss in the house of Anne Frank and everyone applauds, all the big manipulative moments here actually succeed. Hazel (Shailene Woodley) and Gus' (Ansel Elgort) romance is touching and believable and the emotional third act, which sees Gus decline and die after his cancer returns, is shattering.
Moments which sound cloying and sentimental, such as Hazel and Gus' best friend reading out eulogies for him, Gus's funeral and a last letter for Hazel from beyond the grave, all work amazingly well and are genuinely heart-breaking.
In short, it's a manipulative weepy which, for once, actually reaches the insane levels of devastation all these movies aim for. To re-watch this one would be an exercise in masochism.