by Sarah Waldrop and Lainey Mays
Interviewing the Actors
A collection of contest winners and press sat down for a memorable event with some special (and might we say rather good looking) guests. At the Fault in Our Stars Screening at the Mayfair Hotel, Ansel Elgort, Nat Wolff, and Laura Dern kicked everything off with a short introduction and interview. After a flurry of applause, they spoke to presenter Laura Whitmore about the family-like feel of being on set. Apparently author John Green created such a loving tone in the book and it really took hold of the cast and the movie’s creative team.
Ansel Elgort who takes on the male lead role of Gus in the film spoke of the relationship between himself and Shailene Woodley, who plays the ever sarcastic Hazel Grace Lancaster. He joked about their other film together, which he conveniently ‘could not recall the name of’ (he plays her brother in blockbuster Divergent, but shh!) . He said the bond he had already formed with her made making Fault In Our Stars a lot more fun for the two of them, she is pretty much his best friend. You can imagine the collective ‘aaaahhhh!’ from the audience that greeted that declaration!
This film follows a girl with cancer who meets and falls in love with a survivor after meeting at support group. Yep, it’s a tear jerker! They provided tissues for everyone in the theatre, and as predicted there was not a dry eye in the house by the end.
But it’s not all about the tears. Nat Wolff, who plays Gus’ best friend, serves as a serious dose of comic relief. During the interview he revealed that he also eases glum moments in real life. He called it ‘deflecting’ and said that making the movie taught him that it was healthy.
To finish off the interview the stars were asked to declare what they think people should take away from the movie. They agreed that they would never tell someone how to feel, and that it definitely teaches you to appreciate what you have.
Laura Dern plays Hazel’s mother in the film. She had to deal with a lot of emotion while filming the part and advised appreciating what you have and remember to showing your loved ones how much you care.
Nat said that someone came up to him after a showing and told him that they called all of their loved ones and told them how much they loved them. He said if there were anything he would take from the movie, it would be to go home and do just the same.
The cast also took time to compliment the soundtrack. Birdy (who attended the event) and Ed Sheeran were among several talented artists featured in the film. Nat mentioned the music’s ability to blend and not distract from the story that was unfolding.
Each cast member said their goodbye, and the audience delved into their goody bags for their tissues as the film began.
Movie Review
Support groups are meant to provide encouragement for the difficulties we go though in life – addiction, depression, cancer and fear of oblivion. In the highly anticipated adaptation of John Green’s novel, The Fault In Our Stars, Hazel Graze Lancaster and Augustus Waters share their epic love story and teach us about small infinites. Hazel, played by Shailene Woodley, narrates meeting Gus, Ansel Elgort, where their support group leader serenades the circle of sick teenagers with an acoustic guitar.
Gus’ playful flirting catches Hazel’s attention, as does the unlit cigarette held between his lips. Hazel seems to draw strength from her relationship with Gus giving her life a meaning she never knew before.
Realising the limited days both she and Augustus have on a trip to Amsterdam, the duo share a romantic kiss in the Anne Frank House. Some aspects of the book were left out and may not appeal to all audiences. Despite the changes, prepare yourself for a tearjerker. With an amazing cast and soundtrack, the tears will be in full flow. This summer blockbuster out Friday 20th June is a must see, but make sure to bring your tissues.
Read up on star of the film Shailene Woodley here.