Movie: Me Before You

Releasing Year: 2016

Director: Thea Sharrock

Writer/Screenplay: Jojo Moyes

Country of Origin: USA/UK

Language: British English

Me Before You Movie Review:

Based on the novel of the same name by JoJo Moyes, Me Before You is a 2006 British-American romantic drama movie. Sam Claflin and Emilia Clarke play the chief protagonists in the film. Me Before You came under heavy criticism by some groups as they think it promotes “euthanasia”.

“Self killing” is a very delicate topic that I would not like to talk about. So, let’s skip to the plot and storyline of Me Before You.

Plot/Storyline:

The film starts with William Traynor getting struck by a bike and losing his lower body in the accident. Louisa Clark on the other hand loses her job after working for 6 years at a restaurant.

Seeing her family’s economic woes, she tries find another job. She gets an opportunity to work as a caregiver at Wayner Family’s Castle. They employs her immediately at a handsome remuneration. Louisa is little sad to know that she will have to take care of a 30-year old guy. William, once a playboy and adventure lover, now lives a quiet life on a wheel chair, especially designed for him with the latest technology. He is irritating and erratic and makes life difficult Louisa. At one point, she even thinks of leaving this job, but couldn’t do it.

To ease things, she comes up with an idea of making William happy and making him enjoy social life. William, at first, is not interested in the idea but then agrees. A special bond develops between them based on love that lacks lust. Louisa is determined to keep William happy and smiling. She even puts her own relationship at stake for it. Her life is shattered when she knows the fact that William is going to Switzerland to finish his life. She cries and asks him to stay and fight life.

William tells her how bad he feels when he want to make love to her, but can’t owing to his disability. He wants to live, but his current condition is a misery for both of them. She leaves him and goes home. William goes to Switzerland with his parents. Louisa couldn’t control herself and goes again to him to asking to change his mind. She pleads to him but he leaves the world.

In the last scene, Louisa is seen reading a letter by William. He asks her “to fulfill her dreams and live a happy life”. He even left her a good amount of money from his fortune to study further. Something she couldn’t do because of her financial issues. After reading the letter, Louisa is seen in tears and walks away.

My Verdict & Rating of Me Before You:

By the time, Louisa finishes reading the letter, I was in tears. I could feel her pain and the misery of William. That’s what you want from a movie, isn’t ? To hit you hard in heart. For this very reason and some great acting, I give 9/10 to Me Before You. It has a fantastic screenplay, great direction and touching music and background score.

Emilia Clarke literally stole the show with her timeless acting. She had that innocence and emotional appeal that the character of Louisa demanded.

If you are into Romantic Genre Movies, then Me Before You got to be in your wishlist.    

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