Well, I will say, I was forced to read this book, the first time around. The second time, I read it to clarify things for a paper I was reading and because, honestly, I enjoyed it. I'm now on my third read through and it's a good book. I meant to read it the third time before the movie, but only got half-way through.
Second off, I don't see movies. I'm not a movie-goer and when I have time to sit and hang out, I typically don't enjoy staring into a digital representation of moving images, especially with friends. I can stare at screens on my own time, but when I give time to friends, I want to interact.
Okay, so the initial thought about this movie is "total chick flick" or "uber depressing". However, I like this book because it's not a "chick flick". Yes, it has romantic stuff girls like, but it's not a happily ever after movie. It's very sad and depressing. Still, while the movie and book are both incredibly sad and tear-jerky, I think the main purpose is that "pain demands to be felt".
***SPOILER ALERT***
I guess I'll put that there. The movie is about a girl named Hazel Grace that has cancer. She meets Augustus who has had No Evidence of Cancer for over a year. He invites her over to his house to watch a movie, but then they trade favorite books.
Hazel's favorite book is called "An Imperial Affliction" by Peter Van Houten. The book is about a girl named Anna that has cancer and when the story is getting heated, it ends midsentence. Augustus uses his wish to take Hazel to Amsterdam to meet the author and ask about the missing bits of the end of the story.
The man turns out to be a drunk with no manners. When they get back to Indiana, Augustus confesses to Hazel he has cancer again and he is dying. At his funeral, Van Houten shows up and tries to communicate with Hazel about the book, but she doesn't care. Then she finds out that Augustus had written some stuff for Hazel. She finds the papers and finds out it is his Eulogy for her. The end is "You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world, but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices. I hope she likes hers." Then her silent reply, "I do, Augustus. I do".
The movie, incredibly enough, followed the storyline almost exactly. Of course, a couple minor characters, lines, etc were left out, but the main purpose and emotion and power of the novel was beautifully conveyed in the film. The actors were awesome, the music was perfect.
My only problems in the movie were simple lines that I loved in the book.
"I fear oblivion like the proverbial man who is afraid of the dark."
"My thoughts are stars that I cannot fathom into constellations"
"Pain is like fabric, the more of it there is, the more it is worth it."
Overall the movie was awesome. A lot of these YA books become really good movies.