Popyrus | Cinema |
Review: In ‘Me Before You,’ An emotional journey
The 2016 romantic drama film "Me Before You" is based on Jojo Moyes' best-selling book. The film, which was
directed by Thea Sharrock, tells the tale of Louisa Clark, played by Emilia Clarke, a young lady who takes on the role of
career for Will Traynor, a wealthy quadriplegic man, who is represented by Sam Claflin.
Emilia Clarke's eccentric and youthful Louisa "Lou" Clark works multiple jobs to support her family. When she starts taking care of Will Traynor (Sam Claflin), a wealthy young banker who was crippled in an accident two years prior, her upbeat outlook is put to the test. When Louisa demonstrates to Will that life is worthwhile, his pessimistic perspective begins to shift. Their lives and hearts alter in ways that none of them could have predicted as their friendship grows stronger.
The film
touches on some serious themes, which make it more suited to older teens and
adults. There are also some sexual references and coarse language. It is therefore
not recommended for viewers under 14 and there is plenty to discuss with older
teens.
With: Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin,
Janet McTeer, Charles Dance, Matthew Lewis, Stephen Peacocke, Jenna Coleman,
Brendan Coyle, Samantha Spiro, Vanessa Kirby, Ben Lloyd-Hughes. And the Crew is:
Directed by Thea Sharrock. Screenplay, Jojo Moyes, based on her novel. Camera
(color), Remi Adefarasin; editor, John Wilson; music, Craig Armstrong;
production designer, Andrew McAlpine; costume designer, Jill Taylor; sound, Tim
Fraser; supervising sound editor, James Mather; re-recording mixers, Mather,
Mike Prestwood Smith; assistant director, Phil Booth; casting, Kate Dowd.
· Storyline:
26-year-old
Louisa Clark hails from a working-class background. She leads an uninspired
life, mired in habit. She works as a waitress, lives with her parents, and has
been in a relationship with the athletic Patrick for seven years—that is until
she loses her job. As a result, she ends up working as Will Traynor's
assistant. Traynor is a 35-year-old gorgeous, successful, and affluent man who
suffered an accident that left him quadriplegic. Louisa is determined to make
him see that life is still worth living even though he is unable to accept the
life he is now forced to live. At first, Will treats her badly, but they slowly
warm up to one another.
Lou is
supposed to be a caregiver, but she quickly finds out that a kind male nurse is
on hand to take care of the more medical and personal hygiene issues. Rather,
her purpose is to be a beacon of light to chase away the dark clouds that
contribute to their son's low self-esteem and increase his will to survive.
Will mount a strong defense, having at his surly disposal a sizable arsenal of
scathing caustic retorts. However, on a soggy day, he chooses to watch a French
DVD called "Of Gods and Men," which tells the story of Trappist monks
residing in war-torn Algeria. When he finds out that Lou has never watched a
movie with subtitles, the barrier between them starts to thin.
Some
obstacles are more difficult to get past like Lou's obviously unsuitable
long-distance runner beau and Will discovers that his ex-girlfriend is
getting married to one of his closest friends. After that, Will's somewhat
sinister scheme comes to light; it won't be discussed here, but it is
regrettably handled with the clumsy hesitation of the worst Nicholas Sparks
adaptations. Lou becomes even more determined to make Will happy as a result,
taking him to Mozart concerts, to the racetrack, and on an enticing trip to
Mallorca.
The movie
explores themes of love, friendship, and the complexity of life while taking
viewers on an emotional journey. Louisa's eccentric personality and distinctive
sense of style invigorate Will's life, which had grown dull and uninteresting
following his injury. Louisa's resolve to prove to Will that life is worthwhile
becomes a major plot point as their love grows.
· Screenplay:
The script
maintains a delicate balance, infusing moments of levity and humor to provide a much-needed respite from the weighty subject matter. One of the film's greatest
strengths lies in its ability to tackle sensitive themes with grace and
sensitivity. It delves into the challenges faced by individuals with
disabilities, shining a light on the importance of autonomy, dignity, and the
right to make personal choices. The screenplay skillfully balances moments of
heart-warming tenderness with thought-provoking discussions surrounding the
value of life and the ethical complexities of assisted dying. 2014’s romance
“The Fault in Our Stars” was far bolder and more honest about the painful
details of living with serious medical difficulties, and that was a film aimed
at teenagers.
· Acting:
The acting
in "Me Before You" is excellent. Louisa is portrayed by Emilia Clarke
with such emotion that it is impossible to not be moved by her warmth,
kindness, and contagious optimism.
Sam Claflin (Finnick Odair in “The Hunger
Games” franchise), gives Will's character dimension by skillfully conveying his
resentment, irritation, and final emotional change. The two stars have a strong
on-screen chemistry that makes their relationship seem genuine and interesting.
Sam Claflin's acting as Will Traynor deserves an extra round of applause
Fortunately,
the film's incredibly endearing lead actress significantly lessens many of the
plot's cheesy faults. Fans of "Game of Thrones" have, of course, long
been obedient to this British actress and her stunning demonstration of
seductive badassry in her role as the silver-haired dragon-keeper Daenerys
Targaryen. However, she hasn't yet achieved much success on the big screen.
However, in her role as the youthful Sarah Connor in "Terminator
Genisys," she showed all too well that she was just as forgettable as
anything else. Emilia Clarke, adorned in a deliriously tacky outfit full of
vibrant primary colors and vivid butterfly designs, she even possesses a
special hidden weapon: a pair of amazing dancing eyebrows that give off the
impression of being charmed by a snake. Delivers a charmingly goofy performance
that is engrossed in emotional sincerity. The sheer brilliance of Julia
Roberts's widescreen-ready smile and the delicate charm of Keira Knightley's
cameo-locket features are so striking that they may bring back memories of your
own. and their performances evoke a range of emotions, from laughter to tears.
One of the iconic scenes in this film is when Louisa tells Will that she can't recover a pair of tights she had in her childhood. Will bought it for her as a birthday present. In this case, her clothing gives Will a chance to build a greater connection with her. Overall, the setting and the clothing throughout the film, contribute to the theme of love and excitement.
· Music:
The
soundtrack to the movie "Me Before You" is noteworthy and contributes
to the story's emotional impact. The film's ideas and mood are mostly conveyed
through the music. And manipulates the viewers' feelings. The soundtrack
emphasizes and greatly influences the viewer's emotions, particularly during
the depressing moments. The audience is filled with such a deep sense of love
by these tunes. First-time filmmaker Thea Sharrock does an able job keeping us
invested in her two main characters while punching up their emotions with Ed Sheeran and Imagine Dragons on the soundtrack.
The
following are some of the tracks that are on the soundtrack:
Imagine
Dragons' "Not Today" This upbeat and energetic song perfectly
expresses the protagonist of the movie's tenacity and fortitude. While Ed
Sheeran's heart-breaking ballad "Photograph" gives the movie a tragic
and romantic feel. Along with "Unsteady" by X Ambassadors, this
powerful song goes well with the movie's examination of love, grief, and inner
difficulties. These songs were selected to complement the story, evoke certain emotions, and resonate with the audience.
· Editing:
This movie has excellent editing. The movie
is made intriguing in large part by nature. For example, the surf and trees in
Hawaii soothe the spectators when they see Will and Louisa. In addition, the
light goes out, and it is thundering when Louisa and Will share their first
kiss. This brings the kiss to life and serves to remind the audience that it is
their first kiss. The movie also inspires viewers to hope for that type of
love. The emotions that the characters are experiencing in their interactions
with one another are simple to comprehend and experience. Here, Louisa sits
atop Will's wheelchair and dances with him as they are on the dance floor
during a wedding. The viewer becomes happy and excited that they are having so
much fun together.
· Cinematography:
Special
recognition should be given to the film's production design and cinematography.
The stately Traynor mansion and the charming English countryside offer an
exquisite visual setting for the narrative. It's also impressive how much
attention to detail was used to depict the challenges that a person with a
disability has daily—this gave the audience an immersive experience.
The locations used for filming (Chennie Manor House, Pembroke Castle, etc.)
were breathtaking. The film's photography skillfully captures the dramatic
contrasts between the English countryside and the hectic city of London, adding
extra visual dimension to the story.
· Overall rating:
In my opinion,
the rating of ‘Me Before You’ is 4.8/5, Because of The film's overarching message, which reinforces
harmful stereotypes and falls short in addressing the obstacles and
opportunities for a successful life that face people with disabilities.