“The Fault in Our Stars”

Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort

Directed by: Josh Boone

Rating: PG-13 for thematic elements, some sexuality and brief strong language

Playing at: Regal Bowling Green Stadium 12, Highland Cinemas (Glasgow)

Grade: A-

In lesser hands, “The Fault in Our Stars” could have failed miserably.

Fortunately, the talented cast and crew enhance what is already some pretty good material, making “Fault” a teenage tearjerker that doesn’t fall into a typical Hollywood weeper formula.

It is a smart and thoughtful piece of work and one of the better films of 2014 to date.

Shailene Woodley stars as Hazel, a teenager with cancer who understands her time on Earth is very short.

Hazel meets Gus (Ansel Elgort) at a support group, and the two begin a relationship that doesn’t just feature the ups and downs of romance, but the burden of Hazel’s health, which means it could all end at a moment’s notice.

At first Hazel tries to keep the relationship on a “just friends” level, but as the two discover more and more common bonds, the friendship blossoms into something deeper.

“The Fault in Our Stars” is based on a novel by John Green. It’s a story that easily could have played as a melodramatic downer, but proves to have a sense of humor. It is more about celebrating life than succumbing to potential death.

It’s not easy to mix laughs with tears without feeling manipulative, but “Fault in Our Stars” does it pretty well.

Woodley continues to build a resume that showcases her talents as an actress. Having already had memorable turns in “The Descendants” and “The Spectacular Now,” this is right up there with those two films.

She is very natural and believable as Hazel, as is Elgort as Gus. They have a nice on-screen chemistry, creating a relationship that feels authentic – it’s as if the camera is allowing you to peer into these characters’ lives.

There is good supporting work too, with Laura Dern playing Hazel’s mom and Willem DaFoe in an unexpected role as a writer who has had a major influence on Hazel’s life.

The final act of “The Fault in Our Stars” does feel like it could have been trimmed by a scene or two, but it’s a small complaint for a movie that completely surprised me.

It’s a sweet film with its heart firmly in the right place.

Also in theaters

If you are looking for something a little more on the summer blockbuster side, then “The Edge of Tomorrow” (B), the latest from Tom Cruise, is just for you.

This is a fun science fiction spin on the “Groundhog Day” premise that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

“Edge” is set in the near future with a war between humans and an alien race at a fever pitch.

A military officer with no combat training named Cage (Cruise) is dropped into battle and killed quickly; however, his death throws him into a time loop that has him living the same day over and over.

This becomes an asset, allowing Cage to team up with Rita (Emily Blunt) to increase his combat skills and knowledge of the enemy – perhaps turning the tide for good.

“The Edge of Tomorrow” features a great action sequence with an almost Normandy Beach-like invasion in the opening moments and builds from there.

Director Doug Liman plays with the time-travel premise without making it seem to repetitive. 

Like “The Fault in Our Stars,” there is an element of humor that I wasn’t expecting.

Cruise is good here, much better than his previous trek into the genre in last year’s “Oblivion,” while Blunt brings a nice mix of brains and brawn to her character.

Even if you think Cruise’s offscreen schtick has grown tiresome, you can appreciate “Edge of Tomorrow” – a full octane bit of escapism that proves to be a pretty good time at the movies.

“The Edge of Tomorrow” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence, language and brief suggestive material and is playing at the Regal Greenwood Mall Stadium 10 and Highland Cinemas in Glasgow.

— To get movie reviewer Micheal Compton’s thoughts on all things movies, visit his blog @mcompton.wordpress.com or his Twitter page at twitter.com/mcompton428. Email him at mcompton@bgdailynews.com.