Movie Review: Me Before You

Glad that "Me Before You" was a read-first-watch-later, book to movie experience for me. Mostly because in hindsight the movie was (in my opinion) much better than the book. 

Book review here. 

This could be attributed to the great and tangible on-screen chemistry of Emilia Clarke (Lou) and Sam Claiflin (Will), the audiences loved them together. Every time Emilia made the slightest movement with her expressive eyebrows, the audience would laugh, every time she flashed her ear-to-ear goofy smile you could hear the audience howl in laughter. Of course, Lou's colorful #OOTD, which you just have to see for yourself just made her more lovable as well! 

The audience just loved her!

She is more than just the 'Mother of Dragons' on the hit TV show "Game Of Thrones" she is also a talented actress with lots of tricks up her sleeve. She should really consider doing comedies and romantic comedies. She is a big hit! 

I honestly did not expect that the people in the cinema would be laughing as loud as they did in the movie, there was even one scene when the audience was guffawing in laughter and I just didn't get it. I literally went - What's so funny? Why are they laughing? 

Needless to say, it was a good indicator that the audience enjoyed the movie - more than they should actually. 

Of course, it takes two to tango, so to speak and Sam Claiflin delivered, even if he was a quadriplegic on a wheelchair. In order to prepare for the role, Claiflin tied his arms behind his back to train him on the limited movement he should portray on the screen and it's actually harder than it sounds. 

Needless to say, the audience also loved Sam Claiflin and you could feel all the surging hormones in the air whenever the camera would focus on his face. 

Sam just had to work with his (very handsome) face to act out all the emotions he was feeling and while, there are some hilarious scenes, things get pretty dramatic, pretty fast. 

When I first read the book I thought that the premise was pretty common and predictable. Caregiver falls in love with her rich, handsome quadriplegic patient, nothing new there but that's where author Jojo Moyes, pulls the rug under you and when you least expect it you're in a fetal position, crying your eyes out. 

SPOILER ALERT 

Seriously if you don't want to find out - this is you last chance. 

Last chance. 

The film takes a different direction and tone with the decision of Will (Claiflin) to go to 'Dignitas' an "Assisted Dying Organisation" which is located in Sweden, yes, it is a real place, which 'provides assisted/accompanied suicide to those members of the organisation who suffer from terminal illness and/or sever physical/or mental illnesses.    

Lou takes it upon herself to try and change Will's mind taking him to enjoy various activities and in the process the two fall in love. 

I did mention that there were some insights that I failed to grasp in the book but understood in the movie (that's how good it was) and this was that Will, want Lou to live a life more than just the one that she grew up with. Will wants Lou to get out of the small English town that they both call home and to fulfill her potential. Will tells Lou to live boldly and in the ultimate selfless act, does so.

In addition to Clarke and Claiflin's impressive performance, I must note the hilarious portrayal of Matthew Lewis as Lou's jealous boyfriend, Pat. In case you don't put it together he played Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter movies!

The audiences just laughed at the well meaning yet oblivious Pat.
You can read more on Lewis' role here.

Another reason why I love the movie is the soundtrack. If you've been following me you know how long I've been gushing over the songs included in the movie and I have already been listening to the songs prior to seeing the movie (on Spotify). I have yet to pick up a physical CD in record stores but I will, maybe as a birthday treat to myself. You can read more on the OST here.

The only thing that I felt uncomfortable about in the film, was that there were too many close ups, I think. Maybe it was because of the limited actions of Claiflin but still, too many close ups for comfort, for me anyways.

9 out of 10 stars. I was really looking forward to the movie and I'm happy to say that it delivered. I think that having author Jojo Moyes also work on the screenplay was a good way of keeping the story intact and with a powerhouse duo in Clarke and Claiflin, the audience are captivated and just laughs and falls in love.

"Me Before You" is in cinemas on June 15 and is a presentation of New Line Cinema and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures (MGM) and is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.