Warning...possible spoilers...
When my mother-in-law asked my daughter how the movie was, she replied, "It was sad and amazing."
I can't think of a better way to describe this movie; her answer blew mine away!
My goal was to read the entire book before going, but I didn't quite make it - I made it two thirds of the way through. My daughter had read the book (before I even had a chance to!) and was putting the pressure on me to finish reading it, lol.
For a book-to-movie adaptation, I thought it was done quite well. I was happy with how the book was transformed from words on a page to pictures on a screen. There was only one major scene I wish hadn't been cut from the book - the ad Hazel and Augustus wrote to give away her sad swing set. The dialogue between them was witty, and the ad they wrote was spectacularly comical.
I wasn't 100% sold on the actor cast for Augustus but decided to hold off any serious judgment until after watching the movie. Afterward, I'm still not sold on him - he doesn't look anything like the way I pictured the character. But the way he portrayed Augustus's personality was spot-on for me, and that is much more important than whether he looks like the character to me or not.
Hazel, on the other hand, was cast perfectly. I thought she was great! She had me experiencing all of her emotional highs and lows throughout the movie. I love the character in the book and the movie equally. She gives me a lot of hope in actually living life rather than just sleepwalking through it.
Have you seen the movie yet? Are you planning on seeing it? Let's talk!
I completely agree with you about Ansel Elgort - I wasn't entirely sold on him as Gus at first. But after watching the movie, I began to really like him :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review btw! I just posted my review of TFIOS too, you can check it out here: Isabelle's Book Reviews.
I think a big part of not liking Ansel for me was seeing him in Divergent. I didn't like his character in that movie - I just kept yelling in my mind, "Believe your sister!!" lol I did start to like him in TFIOS - he nailed the snarky, arrogant personality.
DeleteThank you - checking out your review right now! :)
I absolutely loved the movie! I read it a few months back, and then eagerly awaited the movie. I am a HUGE Shailene Woodley fan (back when Secret Life was on, I watched every horrible episode just for her). Boy, did she rock playing Hazel, though. Her emotions were incredible, and I just think she is a great person. I feel that Ansel portrayed the personality of Gus perfectly, too. That gas station scene? All the feels! I feel they did an incredible job, but I was disappointed that the swing set conversation was left out as well!
ReplyDeleteTiffany
Beneath the Jacket Reviews
The first time I've seen Shailene Woodley was in Divergent, and I'm definitely a fan of hers. She's done an excellent job with both Divergent and TFIOS. She was spot on as Hazel, wow! Oh man, the gas station scene killed me! I think the movie was so faithful to the book, so that was really great to see. Thanks for stopping by, Tiffany! :)
DeleteOoooooooh I cannot wait to go and see this movie next week! It is being released here today and I ordered the book yesterday :) *excited* Great post Jennifer!!! I am completely besotted with needing to read this book and watch the movie.
ReplyDeleteChanzie @ Mean Who You Are.
I'm super excited for you tor read the book and see the movie! The movie is very faithful to the book, which I truly appreciated. It's emotional and very sad but also hopeful at the same time. I love Hazel and Augustus, and I'm sure you will, too! Thanks for visiting, Chanzie! :)
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