Me Before You (2016) || Beautifully Painful

I absolutely love everything about UK classic-style dramas. I love the quiet towns, old-fashioned feel and soft pacing. It's always like stepping into a completely different world. And when I’m in my soft girl mood, it’s my go-to every single time. I love gentle, something emotional, one that will stay with me long after the credits roll. This one gave me all of that and then some.

Synopsis

The film follows Louisa “Lou” Clark (Emilia Clarke), a bubbly, slightly chaotic young woman who takes up a job as a caregiver for Will Traynor (Sam Claflin), a once adventurous and wealthy man who becomes quadriplegic after a tragic accident.

Lou walks into Will’s life thinking she’s just gotten another job, something to help her support her struggling family. But Will is cold, distant, and completely withdrawn from the world he once loved.

Over time, Lou’s warmth begins to chip away at his walls but beneath their growing bond lies a painful decision Will has made about his future, one that Lou desperately tries to change.

My Thoughts (this one hurt, I won’t lie)

First off, this film feels soft until it doesn’t. Lou is quirky in a way that could have been annoying, but her quirks work in her favor. She brings color into a life that has gone completely grey. And watching her genuinely try to make Will smile was beautiful. But then the reality of the situation settles in and that’s where the film shifts.

What I loved about Lou and Will is that their connection is natural. It grows slowly, through their conversations, shared moments, and understanding. Lou doesn’t just fall in love with Will, she sees him. Not just who he is now, but who he was. And Will, in return, starts to feel again and live, even if it was just a little.

But what absolutely shattered my heart is that this is not a love story that promises to fix everything. It deals with something very real which is choice. Will’s decision about his life isn’t something that is treated lightly here. Perhaps that’s where a lot of people either connect with the story or completely reject it because we all think and want love to be enough. I wished for Lou’s presence to change everything, badly wanting the story to go the way most romances do. But it doesn’t and that realization hurts.

As a character, Lou isn’t your typical strong female lead in the loud, assertive sense. Her strength is in her persistence and kindness, and her refusal to give up on Will. Also, she’s human so she just hopes and believes she can change things. And when reality doesn’t bend to that hope, you feel that heartbreak with her.

This film doesn’t just tell a love story, it leaves you with questions. Is love enough to make someone stay? Should you hold on to someone who has already decided to let go? What does it mean to truly respect someone’s choice, even when it breaks you?

I didn’t have answers to any of these questions so I just sat there, feeling everything at once.

Rating: 8/10

I do recommend for anyone ready for a film that feels warm with a beautifully painful ending.

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