Cried but in a good way!

Rating: 8/10 (5 July 2014)

I have looked after young people who face death from cancer. This film adaption of a much loved book deals very honestly but sympathetically with these themes. Went with my daughter, who is not much older than the main characters portrayed in the film. A lot of my emotion came from realising again how I need to value our relationship in the present, as you never know what is coming. Was very funny in parts and the leads played this strongly all the way through, really believed in them as people. Have thought about it quite a bit afterwards, which is always a mark of a good film for me.
Some of the character development was really well judged, the guy leading the support group appeared to be a stereotype but then a later scene shows his ability to cut to the heart of an issue.
I thought the parents were not very well developed, particularly Gus's parents but the film was already long enough and focusing on the leads was probably the right choice.
We went on a 'habit breaker', just turning up and seeing what was next on at our local cinema. I think on any other night we might have seen something else, so a good idea if you have not tried it!