Film Review: Me Before You

Noorulain Paracha

Me Before You is one of the best romantic movies I have ever seen. This film was created in 2016 by Thea Sharrock. Thea Sharrock is an English theatre professor who directed a TV drama, “The Hollow Crown: Henry V.” The screenwriter of this film is Jojo Moyes. Moyes is one of very few authors to have won the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s Romantic Novel of the Year Award twice. She wrote the novel, Me Before You in 2012. In the movie, the main actors are Emilia Clarke and Sam Clafin who play Louisa Clarke and William Traynor, respectively.  Louisa Clarke is a young, hard-working and kind women who gets laid off from her job. She soon works as a caretaker for William Traynor. William Traynor is a paralyzed, depressed young man in a wheelchair who needs assistance. This movie is about their journey in falling in love with each other.

The movie begins with Louis Clarke being employed at William Traynor’s residence. Her role involves taking care of Will by giving him his medications and making sure he is comfortable. She has a difficult time in the beginning since Will has a hard time letting people become a part of his life. Every time she comes, he just ignores her and they just do their own thing. Soon enough, Will starts doing the activities Luisa wants him to do. They watch a movie together and take walks outside. Everything is going great until Luisa discovers that Will has signed an agreement, called “Dignitas” where he would choose to die in six months. Luisa becomes extremely upset because she believes she is on suicide watch. She goes to her sister for advice who convinces her to make Will’s time left memorable, by doing crazy and fun stuff. Luisa hopes to change Will’s mind about ending his life. She plans trips in which they watch sports, go to a concert, attend their friend’s wedding and even take a trip to Hawaii. What remains to be in question is whether or not Will will continue to live or end his life in six months. We see this love story turn into one with passion and feelings.

The music in this film plays with the emotions of the audience. Especially at sad parts, the music puts emphasis and has a great impact on the viewer’s mood. In this film, Ed Sheeran’s songs, “Photograph” and “Thinking out Loud,” fit perfectly in the movie. These songs create such a strong feeling of love in the viewer. Furthermore, the editing in this film is phenomenal. Nature plays a major role in making the movie interesting. For instance, when Will and Louisa are in Hawaii, the trees and the ocean make the viewer feel relaxed. Moreover, when Louisa and Will first kiss, it is thundering and the light goes off. This dramatizes the kiss and reminds the viewer that it is their first kiss. Additionally, the film makes the viewers hope for that kind of love. It is easy to understand and feel what the characters are feeling in their relationship with each other. Here, when Louisa and Will are on the dancefloor at a wedding, Louisa sits on top of Will and his wheelchair and dances with him. Here, the viewer becomes happy and excited that they are having so much fun together.

The film takes place in United Kingdom. Will has a castle in the movie which is enormous and beautiful. The castle is named the Pembroke Castle. It helps the movie set the mood since it builds a sense of romanticism. In one scene, Will and Louisa climb the rocky steps of part of the castle and admire the view together. Furthermore, the castle shows a contrast in class. In this case, Louisa’s cozy and small home contradicts the lavish Traynor mansion. Here, the viewer can see what brings Louisa and Will together. If Louisa was not in need of the money, she would not have assisted Will. Additionally, the way Louisa dresses has a great impact on the viewer. She has a quirky dress style. She wears bright, patterned and crazy clothing all throughout the movie. Here, the viewer sees Louisa’s unique personality. It shows how she is not like everyone else and that she dresses in a way that makes her happy despite what everyone else thinks. One piece of clothing that is symbolic is her bumblebee tights. She tells Will that it is impossible for her to recover a pair of tights she had in her childhood. Will buys 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.

Me Before You is a film with such unique qualities. It was not like a typical romantic movie. The way it was filmed is amazing. The progression in the love Louisa and Will feel towards each other is heartwarming. It makes individuals desire for that kind of love. This film was entertaining to watch and it is not something anyone should miss out on.