Me Before You: 60 Second Movie Review

Two years ago, Will Traynor (Sam Claflin) had an accident and it caused him to become quadriplegic. His parents are concerned about their son, who has lost the will to live. They employ a new carer for Will, the young and bubbly Lou (Emilia Clarke). Despite having no experience or relevant qualifications, Lou is determined to help Will rediscover some joy in life. But as their relationship grows deeper and closer.

RATED: PG for mild themes, sexual references and coarse language.

AUDIENCE: Fans of author JoJo Moyes’ novel of the same title, and lovers of The Notebook – or any other “romance” involving some form of physical “hurdle” to be navigated.

WHAT’S GOOD: Not much. Me Before You is a movie that’s hard to say anything positive about. Game of Thrones’ star Emilia Clarke throws herself into the part of Lou, bringing a likeable level of perk and cheer. Sam Claflin (The Hunger Games franchise) also fares well as Will, despite the material he has to work with. Other than the lead actors, there’s not much to recommend.

WHAT’S NOT: Based on a bestselling novel, Me Before You’s storyline won’t come as a surprise to some. But if you haven’t read the book and you were enticed by the romantic trailer for Me Before You, prepare to be shocked by what this tale of disability is actually about. Yes, there is romance between Will and Lou but, overall, Me Before You is a frustrating and simplistic depiction of what it might be like to live with some form of disability. Although author JoJo Moyes’ claims her story is about “living boldly”, what we see on-screen is actually the opposite. Me Before You upholds the “right” to die (euthanasia) in ways which are shallow and offensive.

SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING: So much to discuss. Me Before You raises everything from the folly of trying to seek happiness through money, to daring to make value judgements about the worth of a human life. Will’s fixation upon euthanasia is elevated to a noble status by Moyes’ script, meaning this romantic drama promotes the appalling message that if you are a person living with a disability, your life is not worth living. Compare that with the incredible value God gives to every single person, because every single person is made in God’s own image. Yes, we are flawed, imperfect versions of God’s characteristics and intentions, but there is nothing anyone can do to be less than a person created by God. We’re all equal in God’s eyes, something Me Before You does not uphold.

RELEASE DATE: Now Showing