Two YA books come to the big screen in the next few months that are similar in a few ways: They both deal with death, romance and have teenagers. After that the differences are quite stark. Of course I’m talking about The Fault in our Stars and If I Stay. I loved both of these books and would never compare the two, but that’s exactly what I’m about to do. With them both coming to movie theaters this summer and both trailers now available, starring young pretty girls and handsome guys, I can’t help but look at the movies side by side and note their differences & similarities.
So here is my The Fault in Our Stars vs. If I Stay thoughts {Watch TFIOS trailer and If I Stay trailer for refreshers}
The Narrator
TFIOS: Narrated by Shailene Woodley (Hazel Lancaster). Automatically skeptical though that’s just because I’m so close to Beth, Shai’s #1 fan*
If I Stay: Narrated by Chloe Moretz (Mia Hall). I have no feelings about her except jealousy over her lips.
% of Chance the Narrator is a Smoker
TFIOS: 75% chance.
If I Stay: 45% Chance
Other possibilities for narrator’s sexy smoker-ish voice
TFIOS: Still probably smokes, but possibly smokes grass, bamboo chutes or other smokeable green foraged on weekend getaways.
If I Stay: She probably just smokes. Kids these days.
How are we feeling about THE GUY?
TFIOS: Ansel Elgort (Augustus Waters) is like that neighborhood kid who used to spend every summer afternoon with your little brother, throwing water balloons at you, chasing you with his boogers and picking up the phone in the kitchen and farting into it when you were talking to your boyfriend on the same line in your bedroom. Then suddenly, the summer between your junior and senior year of college you’re home from your internship early enough to catch some rays by the pool before going out with the girls to the local townie bar that is only ironically cool to hang out at because it’s basically like a high school reunion every night and who walks out the screen door, shirtless with an 8 pack and definitely not flicking any boogers? Yeah, hello grown-up neighborhood boy. So yeah, we’re feeling good about Ansel as Augustus.**
If I Stay: On the other hand, Jamie Blackley (Adam) is the guy you meet first day of your senior year of college that makes you immediately forget about the neighborhood boy, the guy you hooked up with all summer {Nicknamed “Weasel.” What? He got hot since 10th grade!} and every other guy that came before him. No other guy stands a chance.***
What about the Music?
TFIOS: There’s a Peter Gabriel reference in the TFIOS trailer {“nothing is too messed up that can’t be fixed with a Peter Gabriel song.” True. I listen to “Grieve” weekly} so we’re off to a good start in the beginning. The trailer gives me the feeling that we’re going to be watching two hipstery cancer patients who have a pretty great taste in music. The soundtrack proves it. We’ve got M83 {already released song wahhh we want new stuff!}, Birdy, Lykke Li & Ray LoMontagne. Plus a bunch of other people I haven’t heard of. Excited for the music!
If I Stay: Because Mia is a classical musician, the trailer opens with a beautiful cello piece. Her hippy parents play a central role in her backstory so I envision some great 70s/early 80s music mixed with some indie rock because Adam is a sexy rock god. {For the record, I wasn’t crazy about Say Something Being used in the trailer}
How Central is the Romance?
TFIOS: Central. I haven’t read the book in awhile, so maybe I’m forgetting what it was like, but watching the trailer I’d think it was a romance book and the kids happen to have cancer. That’s definitely not how I remember reading it.
If I Stay: Important, but not central. The story is about Mia’s survival and her choice in the matter. I think the romance and story of Adam and Mia’s love will be woven throughout, but the trailer shows more than just that.
How is The SEX gonna be?
TFIOS: Let’s ask the 14 year olds on Tumblr to gif it out for us:
The sex will definitely be as awkward and giggly as you’d expect sex to be with kids removing clothes AND trying to keep oxygen lines in at the same time.
But with the tenderness of first love… sigh….
If I Stay:
Remember… we’re talking about the guy you meet who makes you forget all other guys.
so what we’re saying is
it’s gonna be okay,
okay?
(see what I did there?)
Talk to me about The Level of Tears
TFIOS: The tears-level is going to be full-force There’s 100% chance I’m going to cry.
If I Stay: The Tears-level will be out of control on this one. There’s 100% chance I’m going to be sobbing audibly. I barely made it through the book.
While I’m excited for BOTH movies, I think I’m a little more excited about If I Stay. The trailer for TFIOS really makes it out to be more about the romantic connection than I think the book is meant to be- so it feels a bit younger. Plus, while Ansel is adorable and nice to look at, he’s like 12. Give me 1991-born Jamie Blackley any day (as Beth put it last night “That’s Babysitting territory)
Both movies look incredible & both will ensure I have a summer of tears. Sooooo…
What movie adaptation are you most looking forward to?
*sarcasm alert
**Someone write this NA book STAT. (Title “Older”)
***Call this one “Better”
