The Fault In Our Stars: The Charm Filled Wages of Suffering and Pain


 

The Fault In Our Stars: The Charm Filled Wages of Suffering and Pain

“All is as it should be. God wishes to see people happy. Where there is hope, there is life.”

“It's a good life Hazel Grace.”

“It's not over yet.”

“But, you of all people know it's possible to live with pain.”
-The Fault In Our Stars, 2014

There is an in perceivable quality in The Fault in Our Stars. A quality that reaches far beyond this quirky story of two young romantics as they face the travails of cancer. This something is always there, but we usually don't notice it unless it is missing. it may even come as a surprise, because it adds a sense of realism to a story that is already very real. To put it simply, it is a sense of normalcy.
The Fault in Our Stars wonderfully, if that word can be used in this context, infuses a teens battle with cancer with the normalcy of life. Don't get me wrong here, The Fault in Our Stars compassionately understands the seriousness of a cancer diagnosis. However, it also beautifully conveys how living with chronic illness and disability should not bar us from the everyday experiences of life, love and hope.
The story of Augustus Waters and Hazel Graceland Lancaster, is not a science experiment for pity, but a microcosm of life. Every one of life's moments has weight and meaning, not because they are special, but because they are. They are another moment to live. Another moment to feel, be that pain or joy.
In no way does The Fault in Our Stars dilute the impact of death nor shallow the nuances of suffering. Instead, it takes both of these aspects of life, and deftly explores them. Weaving in and out of a maze of grief, guilt and the anguish of sorrow, until it emerges on the other side changed for the better. In both the novel and the film, The Fault in Our Stars reaches back in time to find a touch point, another moment where the trials of life became shockingly apparent. An instant in time where suffering and perseverance met. It's found in the story of young Anne Frank, as she endures the horrors of the Nazi concentration camps. Ann Frank's harrowing journey towards eternity, is a reminder for both Hazel and Augustus that life certainly has its struggles. Though those struggles are markers of resilience, badges of a well lived life. A life full of meaning and purpose.
It's hard to express how meaningfully The Fault in Our Stars is able to manage all of this emotional weight without collapse. Perhaps, normalcy is the answer again. Augustus and Hazel's lives are normal, save for the fact that they live with the fear of death as their constant companion. Though, if you know someone that well how frightening could they really be? Death is a friend to us all on this journey of life. Sometimes, he's just a closer friend than normal.
The Fault in Our Stars in all its forms, is a beacon of light. It is a deeply moving and insightful meditation on wonder, compassion and sorrow. This story reflects lives lived in full, with chronic illness and disability included. Director Josh Boone and his team beautifully adapt John Green's rambunctiously poignant novel about love and life. Revealing to us a charmingly simple, but residentially meaningful truth. The truth that, life has its challenges, but in the end, that's "Okay",

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some sexuality (The scene is pretty long because there is dialogue beforehand, with the characters in their underwear. it never exceeds the boundaries of the PG-13 rating in terms of nudity) and brief strong language

I found The Fault in Our Stars to be deeply meaningful, charmingly thought-provoking and insightful. I hope in some way you do too.

The Fault in Our Stars can be streamed on Disney plus and Hulu with a subscription. It is available to purchase on any digital video streaming service. It is available physically on DVD and Blu-ray disc:
https://www.amazon.com/Fault-Little-Infinities-Extended-Blu-ray/dp/B00LTA0JBU/ref=sr_1_1?crid=21KHMPT0BYVWG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aVni0rM6Iwn7RCv1DDphh6uEQRtUTXdZQAwkP7HlrPpL62LKE9CpLPjm8gUA5lqa4guR8HE7kspuCJPKOLOdM3H-SVs7bKulOEC5BjEw_MqBZorzMrA3KfC6Wwa7tzolnqCpBgdXNrgwaDAQwH5UJ3qGpp_5cqoERWIUFsAvIYX38TwfM8hEsgctAuBKoj82pOnIXgeJZX-0IToJz7KiayLVx_HQzP7BRjLghX5c0ac.zVr8t1VpQn7gQf5352rMrb2Cww3IgaDiyHF7I0v20hE&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+fault+in+our+stars+blu+ray&qid=1751475448&sprefix=the+fault+in+our+stars+%2Caps%2C92&sr=8-1

The novel is available to purchase wherever books are sold. It is also available in audio form on audible.com and the Audible app:
https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Fault-in-Our-Stars-Audiobook/B09VQ572P3?eac_link=dzuzLZ0pPqUn&ref=web_search_eac_asin_1&eac_selected_type=asin&eac_selected=B09VQ572P3&qid=VjyeW6Q17L&eac_id=132-9011518-0902258_VjyeW6Q17L&sr=1-1

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