Me Before You

Nice. Compared to the untouchable The Intouchables, it’s is a bit too cloying and childish in an American way, with a clear-cut course and an ending adapted to the popular romantic trend (when will filmmakers finally get rid of the need to "deepen" emotionally impressive moments with wannabe touching songs?), but otherwise a terribly nice and likeable film about the need to help others, even if they don't ask for it out loud. Emotionally balanced, ranging from pleasant humour and irony to depression stemming from the hopelessness of life's situation and, except for the last few minutes, smoothly narrated and generally uplifting – especially thanks to the lovely Emilia Clarke, who emerges as a character capable of lighting up any scene with her mere presence and smile – Rachel McAdams has a serious (but welcome) competitor :-) 80% (08/01/2016)

A very nice, positive and likeable romantic movie that is bound to please not only ladies, but guys as well. And that’s in spite of the fact that at first I had a big problem with Emilia Clarke at the beginning because of the way she made faces into the camera. But gradually I came to understand that all her grimaces were intentional and I really grew to like her. I think I will actually call her Jim Carrey in a skirt from now on because the things she can do with her eyebrows have no match among other actresses. She was really terrific. Well and Sam Claffin does a pretty nice job as well even though his role confines him into a wheelchair. Surprisingly, all this is enough for the movie to imbue your psyche with a wave of positive, melancholic, even sad emotions. Simply put, exactly what you were expecting when you decided to go see this movie. (10/27/2016)

I was a bit afraid it would be simplistic, too straightforward, and indeed at times it feels a bit too naive, but both main actors give it the right touch. Emilia is truly enchanting. Moreover, the film doesn't end unnecessarily romantically, although it's still beautiful. But that's life, beautiful and cruel. (09/27/2016)

Fantastic relationship drama. It's not as complex and fateful as, say, The Age of Adaline, but Emilia Clarke plays perhaps the most likeable dumb girl under the sun, and that's not at all a bad thing. An emotional charge par excellence. Don't worry about whether it's realistic or not, just enjoy the show. And since we are in a time when all genres have to be super-clever and super-based, ideally conceptually groundbreaking, or at least innovative, this fresh old-school romance feels a bit like a revelation from another world. It's not really innovative in any way, it's just exquisitely polished and shot with care and feeling. (08/14/2016)

Me Before You is a film that is in many ways different from other romantic dramas, yet it uses elements that have appeared in other films similar to it. You could feel a touch of The Intouchables through the quadriplegia, but its French predecessor played more on a humorous note, whereas here it was more about developing a relationship between diametrically opposed characters and coming to terms with a cruel fate. The cast was supremely likeable, although I did wonder at times if Emilia Clarke's wavy eyebrows were serious, but I did get a satisfying explanation at the end of the film. I liked the casting of Matthew Lewis, who managed to break out of his role as Neville from Harry Potter. I was also impressed with the soundtrack, especially the songs “Not Today” and “Unsteady”. All in all, a nicely made film set in the beautiful surroundings of England and offering a nice story that may be corny on one level, but still makes you want to watch it and get carried away by the slightly naive and cutely delivered script. (07/11/2016)