Synopsis

Will Traynor is a young wealthy star in the business world with everything he could want and a passionate love for life. It all takes a turn one day when he is run over by a motorcyclist and left a quadriplegic. His parents hire a series of companions to try and bring him out of depression. On the other side of town, Louisa Clark loses her job serving tea in a local café. She needs to help support her family so she takes on the task of caring for Will and providing companionship. They inevitably become close and Louisa learns that he plans to end his life. In hopes of changing his mind, she plans the vacation of a lifetime. Can her irrepressibly positive outlook help save Will from the brink?

Me Before You - Blu-Ray Movie Review

Specifications
Me Before You - Movie Cover
Metro Goldwyn Mayer
2016, Color, Rated PG-13, 1 Hr 50 mins
DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, 2.40:1 Aspect Ratio
Starring: Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin, Janet McTeer
Directed by Thea Sharrock

Rating

Entertainment:
Video:
Audio:
Extras:

Violence: No
Sex: No
Language: No

Me Before You - Blu-Ray Movie

Commentary

This is a story that is beautifully told and poignantly acted. The cast displays a real and palpable chemistry at all levels of interaction. On the surface, it seems as though the film will be depressing but there is just enough comedy to balance things out. I couldn’t help but put myself in the characters’ shoes and wondering how I’d act and what I’d do if presented with the same situation. Viewers will find themselves on a bit of an emotional roller coaster during the movie but the pacing is excellent and the ending completely satisfies.

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The cast is full of familiar British talent. Emelia Clarke continues to prove herself a flexible character actor. It seems she can move effortlessly between Daenerys Targaryen in Game of Thrones, to Sarah Connor in Terminator Genesys to a bubbly young girl in Me Before You. You’ll also recognize Sam Claflin from The Hunger Games films. His performance as Will Traynor is nothing like that of Finnick Odair. What he portrays with nothing more than facial expressions is impressive. Louisa’s boyfriend is played by Matthew Lewis who was Neville Longbottom in the Harry Potter films. I’d say he’s grown up well and does a superb job as a self-absorbed fitness-junkie. Fans of Downton Abbey will enjoy seeing Brendan Coyle as Louisa’s father.

Me Before You - Movie Review

This is a well-crafted and entertaining movie. The subject matter is definitely romantic but it will appeal to a wide audience. It goes far beyond the simplicity and shallowness of the typical “chick-flick.” It can be enjoyed by all family members as there is no objectionable material here. And I would suggest keeping a box of tissues handy. Great film.

Technical

The image is of high quality with plenty of depth and precise clarity. There aren’t many dark scenes to test your display’s black levels but overall contrast is excellent. Color runs cool much of the time with Louisa’s bright clothing providing vivid contrast to the sometimes drab backgrounds. When a warmer palette is called for, the colorist goes a little too far and the scene takes on a flat, almost monochrome appearance. These are minor flaws however.

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Audio is dialog-centric and that is always clear and firmly centered. Ambient effects are used sparingly and could have been a little more prominent. The musical score by Craig Armstrong provides nice orchestral interludes during transitional scenes and binds the different acts together nicely.

Me Before You - Blu-Ray Review

Extras

Bonus features include a featurette about the adaptation of Jojo Moyes novel to the screen, deleted scenes, outtakes and two trailers for other films.