Nos étoiles contraires

I had heard a lot of things about this film from various sources, but I delayed watching it for a long time, as I suspected that it would push a lot of emotions, since the main themes are young people suffering from serious illnesses, so it was to be expected that there would be a grim reaper hanging around. In the end, it's a kind of bittersweet film where on the one hand you watch the characters enjoying the time they have left, while on the other hand there is the presence of impending death, which unfortunately is not a choice. I probably wouldn't watch it again, but I can still recommend this film. In short, a film that shows the fact that serious illness and death are not a matter of the older generation alone, and that it is important to enjoy every day to the fullest. (2016-06-29)

Okay, Hazel Grace? Moments of laughter, moments of tears – and the whole time with clenched fists, cheering for one miracle. The stars might not have been on Jim's side, but they were on ours. Because we could witness a captivating, intimate, and deeply personal love story. Personal not because Augustus has a Mass Effect poster at home or because he watches Buffy the Vampire Slayer with Hazel. Not even because I would definitely date a grenade of a girl. No, it's because until the very last breath, I admire how two people – despite illnesses, pain, and heart-wrenching disappointments looming every day – can give each other everything. And those who have loved before understand that a smile with tear-filled eyes is a constant state when it comes to these Stars. (2014-06-12)

For most of its run this film was surprisingly likeable because it wasn’t the self-serving and cheap emotional blackmail that I feared. And, even though in the end things eventually take the path of emotional blackmail, one it had skilfully crossed up that point, I still liked it. The strongest point is that both of the stars manage to play their roles in a very likeable way. I was actually looking forward to being sarcastically nasty at them, but I can’t. (2014-08-19)

Simply beautiful film. I don't have much to criticize about it. Of course, some might find it self-indulgent. I see it as a beautiful celebration of love and life, portrayed brilliantly by the chosen actors. Humans are weak, but they can also be strong, and here we see it in all its aspects, just like the good and nasty people. The strongest part is definitely the events in Amsterdam. (2014-08-29)

It's not the power of the premise or the media hype that makes this quality film a hit. What would The Shawshank Redemption be, with its potential for acting, plot and ideas, if it were filmed conventionally, aimed solely at reliable and convenient one-dimensional themes, and if it relied solely on all audiences having enough humanity and automatic empathy to appreciate it simply because it carries a laudable message? The Fault in Our Stars has a great cast and a commendable idea, but it's kitsch of the coarsest grain, which I have no need to see again in my life and which, despite all the cute faces and touching hugs, failed to tell me anything new. Both love and death are a given in life, and there are many other films that make me appreciate the former indescribably more and take the latter as a harmless, if unwelcome, companion. 65% (2015-11-12)