The Fault in Our Stars - B-

Rated PG-13, 125 minutes

"Fault in Our Stars" a weepy, well-acted romantic tale for the young set

If you like your cry with a little movie, then you'll be glad that the first guaranteed two-hanky movie (i.e. "chick flick") of the summer is here with the moving "The Fault in Our Stars," based on the weepy John Green 2012 young adult bestseller of the same name that becomes a weepy movie for young adults highlighted by the charming leads. Hazel (Shailene Woodley) and Augustus (Ansel Elgort) are two teenagers who meet at a cancer support group. The two forge an unlikely romance and friendship as they hope to grant Hazel's dream of meeting her favorite author in Amsterdam. Low-key and pensive, "The Fault in Our Stars" is most memorable for the strong turns from Elgort and Woodley (who played siblings earlier this year in "Divergent"). Directed by Josh Boone ("Stuck in Love"), it's a largely faithful adaptation of Green's novel though fans of the book will notice some minor changes, especially towards the end, but it retains much of the spirit and themes of the book, which means you better take plenty of tissues. Woodley's star continues to rise, and her touching performance in "Fault" may gain her more notice and fans, though Elgort is just as believable as her slightly goofy, geeky counterpart in Gus, who falls for "Hazel Grace" almost immediately. Woodley and Elgort's warm chemistry brightens the film and keeps it from drowning in its own sorrow not to mention a strong supporting cast; watch for small but memorable turns from the Nat Wolff as their funny, fellow cancer-stricken friend Isaac, Laura Dern as Hazel's sympathetic mom and Willem Dafoe as the drunken author of Hazel's favorite book. "Fault" could've benefited from a stronger director than Boone and the story becomes too soft around the edges near the end once you know the direction the tragic love story takes. But if you're a fan of Green's book, you're bound to be a fan of this too: at a recent screening, I was sitting in the midst of some adolescent girls who were audibly moved, so if you take girls in this target age group to see this film - be forewarned. A tad too long, a little too predictable, yet still, the touching performances of the pensive film is the chief reason to see "The Fault in Our Stars" and enough to advise that you'll be sniffling when it's all over. Recommend, and you'll heart will be tugged.

Wes's Grade: B-