Me Before You

When we saw the previews of this movie, we were determined to view it, as we have a 32-year old son who is wheel-chair bound and has one usable limb.

The movie is well-acted by all the main characters, with Emilia Clark (Lou) playing the spunky, compassionate, inexperienced gave-giver to the bitter recluse, Sam Clafin (Will). After Will is made a quadreplegic by a motorcycle accident, his parents are looking for someone to take care of him. Lou needs the money, so she takes the job. At first, Will doesn’t want anything to do with her, but she soon wins him over with her desire to help him.

The movie is great up to about the ⅔ point, with Lou taking him on trips, the horse races, etc., but then we find out he wants to commit suicide. So, for the rest of the movie, Lou is constantly trying to get him to change his mind. They eventually fall in love, but it’s not enough to cause him to forego the assisted suicide. You would think Lou would try to convince Will to let God use him, but no, not in another liberal, agenda-driven, propaganda film.

The end shows her in Paris, all happy-go-lucky, beginning her new life.

Like I said earlier, there is no nudity, though there are two scenes implying pre-marital sex between Will and his girl friend, Jenna, and also between Lou and her previous boy friend.

God and Jesus are mentioned once, and that is only during the blessing for a meal at her parent’s house. It’s too bad. This was an opportunity to give both sides of the issue.

Violence: None / Profanity: Moderate—“I swear to God,” “Jesus” (2), “hell” (2), s-words (2), “p*ss,” “shag” (1), “booby” (1), “a**” (2), “a**hole” (1) / Sex/Nudity: Mild to moderate

A female reviewer’s take

Reviewed by: Elicia Roy—first time reviewer
CONTRIBUTOR

After seeing the preview of “Me Before You,” I said in my mind, “This movie looks like the ultimate chick flick; I must go and see it.” As one who usually looks up a review before seeing movies, I did not do it in this case, which I regret.

“Me Before You” takes the viewer on a journey of love and hope, only to crash and burn and never recover. The movie plays to every girl’s dream of being like a Cinderella, who goes from humble beginnings to being in a castle. Just the thought of being a servant worker in a castle for a very wealthy family is a romantic notion to a commoner. What girl would not want to see a beast, as in “Beauty and the Beast,” melt with the power of love, as Belle caused to happen to her beast?

A hardworking coffee shop waitress, named Louisa loses her job, and becomes employed as a caregiver for a “beastly” man named Will. He has had an unfortunate accident leaving him paralyzed. He is morose and angry that he no longer has the life that he once had. He is sarcastic and unkind toward those who attempt to help him. The friendly and kind Louisa, persists in showing care and love to the Will, which breaks down many walls in him. He begins to smile again and starts to see the beauty in life again… so the viewer is left to think.

Louisa finds out that Will has made plans to go to Switzerland to take his own life by physician—assisted suicide. She begins to make plans to take Will out of the castle and experience life again, in hopes of renewing his desire to live and to help him out of his slump. They go various places together, including attending a wedding and symphony. Will becomes aware of his remaining senses that include: sight, hearing, tasting, smelling, though is only hindered by the sense of feeling below the neck due to the paralysis. The viewer has been given hope. Will is able to communicate well, and can think clearly enough to make his own decisions. Unfortunately, he lacks the wisdom and knowledge that his life has been given to him as a gift by God, despite his unfortunate accident and subsequent limitations.

A few months go by, and caregiver Louisa and Will begin to develop feelings for one another. There are a few romantic scenes of kissing and sexual suggestions. Tension ensues when there is a declaration of love between the two, knowing that Will intends on taking his life and will not be swayed by anything, including the love that they have begun to share.

Without revealing the end, it is clear that there are wrong messages throughout this movie. According to the world’s standards, one has it all if they are rich, handsome, lively and athletic, which were all qualities that Will possessed prior to his accident. In his mind, his entire world ended, when he lost his abilities. He had a taste of living again through the power of love, but despite rediscovering life and love, he decided that he had nothing left to live for, in his mind, not even for love’s sake.

This movie will be offensive to Christians who believe in the sacredness and sanctity of human life. Those who live according to the world’s belief system will agree with the movie’s message: that man has a right to serve and preserve self first. Also, the message is conveyed that if our lives are faced with disability, we no longer have a reason to live. The film could not be titled more perfectly: “Me Before You.” This was a truly tragic film.

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