Rating of
2.5/4
Enjoyable Fluff with Serious Subject Matter
Unknown - wrote on 06/15/16
'Me Before You' is the kind of tear-jerking romantic fluff that you'd expect. However, despite working full steam in it's genre specific needs, the film manages to be very engaging through it's well developed characters. I liked these people, and I liked the actors' portrayal of them. I was invested in their growing fondness of one another. I say "fondness" because this movie doesn't rely on the pair falling in love and being a bonafide couple. It's more concerned about them growing closer to each other in a difficult time and learning from the other's viewpoints on life. The story flows from the day-to-day routine of their meetings, with both gradually opening up through new ideas and experiences. I felt an emotional pull, but never to the point where the drama could make me come close to weeping. The comedic moments were all funny; containing a wit and charm that match the characters. The main issue brought up by the male lead's physical condition has caused concern from some critics whom I believe have completely misread the intentions of the film. His paralyzed state, coupled with failing health, gives him a serious disadvantage in life, causing depression when reflecting on his constantly outdoor active past self. With uncertainty of his remaining time always looming, he makes a choice (at the beginning of the film) to arrange an assisted suicide for the purpose of sparing others from his twenty four hour care and having to watch him slowly fade. The resolution of the film I found appreciative from a storytelling standpoint. The message is a positive one (if not somewhat mixed), despite the negative way in which others have construed it. Enjoyable on a pure surface level of pleasantness.
