Jackson Free Press

Indianapolis, Ind., native John Green rewrites the script for the stereotypical young adult romance in his latest work, "The Fault in Our Stars." The movie adaptation of the 2012 novel of the same name premiered June 6.

Starring Shailene Woodley as Hazel Grace Lancaster and Ansel Elgort as Augustus Waters, "The Fault in Our Stars" follows two terminally ill teenagers who meet in a cancer support group. In an effort to destroy tropes about what romance should be, Green presents a story with raw potential and tragic realism. Hazel and Augustus are both aware of their impending oblivion.

Although it is targeted mainly at a younger audience, adults also enjoy the story, regarding it as witty, charming and fresh. Woodley's performance is moving, unapologetically evoking tears from audiences. Elgort's interpretation of Augustus is spot on, although the film's development is paced too quickly for audiences to garner any true emotional ties to his character. The story itself is a bit farfetched—the two main characters find themselves on a plane to Amsterdam to meet Hazel's favorite author within a month of meeting each other. Even so, Green's diehard fans see his innovative approach to the traditional love story as revolutionary.

Hazel and Augustus give a voice to the harsh realities of life and terminal illness. They are only children, which comes with its advantages and downsides, none of which detract from the battles they face every second. Hazel must carry an oxygen tank with her, and mere seconds without its aid strains her lungs greatly. Augustus lives as an amputee, having lost his leg and hopes of being a basketball star. Together, they enter the world of adult love with trepidation, as they both know they may not make it to adulthood.

Having been diagnosed at the peak of his teenage years, Augustus' desire for the world to remember him shapes his view on living. He seeks greatness and purpose, but most of all, he wants to know what the point of life is. Augustus refuses to accept his fate and ponders the true meaning of his life as a "failed experiment of evolution." Hazel, however, struggles to prove to him that he hasn't lived in vain. Hazel is selfless and refers to herself as a grenade. In an attempt to minimize the damage she will leave behind once she is gone, she conceals her true feelings for Augustus until she realizes that time is not on their side. "I fell in love the way you fall asleep, slowly then all at once," she says.

Green has faced a bit of backlash from cancer patients and activists on his Tumblr blog due to the content of "The Fault in Our Stars." The Daily Mail described the plot as "mawkish at best, exploitative at worst."

Some bloggers oppose the characters' dialogue, saying that teenagers don't actually speak in drawn-out soliloquies and discuss philosophies in normal conversation. Green, 36, however, refuses to give in to stereotypes about young people.

"I'm tired of adults telling teenagers that they aren't smart, that they can't read critically, that they aren't thoughtful," Green said in an interview with The Guardian.

In addition to the popular Vlogbrothers channel he runs with his brother Hank, John Green manages multiple YouTube channels that promote charities and education. In 2012, the brothers used a grant from Google to start an educational series called Crash Course. Weekly updates include videos for advanced placement students, with topics ranging from world history to literature. They also created several organizations that support charities and humanitarian efforts, such as The Foundation to Decrease World Suck and the Project for Awesome. Together, the brothers advocate for freedom of expression and the pursuit of intellectual conquests, rejecting the idea of being ordinary.