“Director Boone can’t dodge the truth of the story, and anyway, the book’s devotees would freak out if he did,” writes Joe Neumaier of The New York Daily News. “Luckily, the layered, tuned-in adaptation by Michael H. Weber and Scott Neustadter avoids calculated sentiment. Yes, newcomers to the story will see certain things coming, and Hazel and Gus’ refusal to let cancer define them feels like a conceit. But it also comes off courageous.”

As for the story, well, most of us already know the story. But you’ll be happy to read that the movie does it well. Per Vanity Fair: “As Augustus and Hazel grow closer, they embark on a quest to find out what happens after the ending of Hazel’s favorite book, An Imperial Affliction, written by an ornery recluse named Peter Van Houten (Willem Dafoe). Their journey takes them to Amsterdam, where they enjoy a wistful, romantic weekend before things get sad again. That’s pretty much it in terms of the movie’s plot, which has been judiciously pared down from the book, while still paying loyal homage to readers’ favorite moments.”

Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort
Anself Elgort is disarming as Augustus Waters.