This Generation’s Parents: LAURA DERN And SAM TRAMMELL in “THE FAULT IN OUR STARS”
Typifying this generation’s parents are Laura Dern
and Sam Trammell in the book-to-film adaptation of “The Fault In Our Stars”
from author John Green and director Josh Boone.
The
film follows Hazel (Shailene Woodley) and Gus (Ansel Elgort) as their
relationship develops and they set off on a surprising and exciting journey to
Amsterdam. Laura Dern, who plays
Frannie, Hazel Grace Lancaster’s mother in the film. “What I love about the story is that it is
not about cancer; it is about falling in love and being true to who you are,
not apologizing for yourself,” says Dern.“It is about believing in the moment
and really honoring the joy of the moment, no matter how bad everything might
look. And those are themes we all need today.”
Together with her husband Michael,
played by Sam Trammell,Frannie is a devoted mother, coping with an enormous
challenge. Hazel (Shailene Woodley),the couple’s only child, has cancer. They
want their daughter to live life to the fullest. Frannie encourages Hazel to
attend a support group, where she can get together with other teenagers in a
similar situation. Hazel agrees to go along, with some reluctance. While there,
the pretty and intelligent girl catches the eye of the very attractive Gus
Waters. Gus is in remission, but has accompanied his best friend Isaac (Nat
Wolff) to the meeting. There is an immediate connection between Hazel and Gus. Gus
is funny, confident and irreverent. Both are independent spirits with strong
views on the world. They start seeing each otherand before long find themselves
falling in love.
Given their health concerns,
inevitably life is not easy for the pair, but like any other teenagers, Hazel
and Gus simply enjoy being together.The film is inspiring and deeply moving but
often humorous and not at all sentimental. It’s an authentic story that
celebrates the precious moments in life.
Apart from Hazel’s friendship with
Gus and Isaac, her world is very small. Due
to the restrictions placed upon her by her illness, Hazel spends much of her
time with her parents, Frannie, played by Laura Dern, and Michael, played by
Sam Trammell.
“Frannie and Michael are good
parents who love their daughter and take really good care of her,” says Green.
“But they are facing the reality of her illness. At times it makes them a little bit like
‘helicopter’ parents, who hover over their daughter.
“At the same time, Hazel’s illness
allows Frannie and Michael to be freer with Hazel than most parents would be
with their teenage daughters,” he continues.
“They don’t worry as much about some of the relatively minor things that
other parents worry about, like the guys their daughters are dating, because
there are bigger concerns in their lives. So that makes for an interesting
dynamic between Hazel and her parents.”
Laura Dern felt a strong connection
with her on-screen daughter. “When I met Shaileneit was like being with family,
which is rare.” Dern says. “Something in John Green’s writing and in Shailene’s
personality made us kindred spirits.
Like Hazel and Frannie, Shailene and I are a bit obsessive about eating
the healthiest ways possible and making sure there are no environmental toxins
around us. That infuses our characters
and our friendship.”
Sam Trammell also appreciated the
connections between the parents and their daughter. “Hazel is almost as much of a caretaker to
her parents as they are to her,” he says. “One of the things that struck me
about the story was how Hazel is primarily concerned about the people she’ll be
leaving when she passes, especially her parents. The most troubling thing to
her is how her illness affects others, and I think that’s a beautiful notion.”
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