New drama “Me Before You” is sure to please romantics of all kinds with its unique take on love, a lively cast, and troubling conclusion.
Let’s be honest: When it comes to romantic dramas there is little we have not seen. Films come out year after year with a slight, unoriginal, spin on the same tragic love story which often finds itself wrapped with a bright red bow in the form of a happily ever after. Shockingly enough, Me Before You is a film in this genre that will not leave viewers feeling as if it’s a shadow of one they’ve seen before.
In the Thea Sharrock-directed drama, recently fired bundle of joy Louisa “Lou” Clark is looking for a job in order to financially support her family after her father is laid off. In her search, she encounters a help wanted posting which seeks assistance for a disabled man whom we come to know as Will Traynor. A former daredevil and thrill-seeker, Will becomes paralyzed following a motorcycle accident. His mother hires Lousia for her peppy personality and it is not long before Louisa’s spunk comes head to head with Will’s biting sarcasm and cold demeanor. Yet, Louisa wears Will down with persistence and gets to know the man behind his dark and cynical exterior. Soon, Will is smiling more than he ever has since his accident which left former business mogul feeling as though he could no longer properly live his life. However, their happiness is threatened when Louisa learns of a dark truth. Upon her realization, Lousia is left in a race against time to change the mind of the man she has grown to love.
The emotional tidal wave of a film is certainly well-written. Louisa and Will’s witty banter is sure to get a rise out of audiences. Emilia Clarke (Louisa) and Sam Claflin’s (Will) on-screen chemistry is undeniable and will have viewers wishing their courtship could manifest itself in reality. Their relationship is certainly heart-warming and can satisfy true romantics and skeptics alike. However, Will’s secret and Louisa’s realization may put movie-goers at odds with author Jojo Moyes’s portrayal of the lives of disabled individuals. Will seems resigned to a life of misery following his paralyzation despite having found love and happiness with his caretaker Louisa. The movie’s ending may leave viewers unsatisfied as much more could have been done to develop and challenge Will’s outlook on life. Still, Moyes and Sharrock should be applauded for their willingness to tackle the ethical and moral issues surrounding Will and Louisa’s love affair.
Me Before You is directed by Thea Sharrock and written by Jojo Moyes. The film is an adaptation of Moyes’s 2012 novel of the same name and stars Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin, Charles Dance, and Janet McTeer. Me Before You will be in theaters Friday June 3, 2016.
