Wikipedia

Me Before You(film)

Me Before Youis a 2016romantic dramafilm directed byThea Sharrockin herdirectorial debutandadaptedby authorJojo Moyesfrom her2012 novel of the same name.The film starsEmilia Clarke,Sam Claflin,Janet McTeer,Charles DanceandBrendan Coyle.

Me Before You
A woman in a red dress with her arm around a man in a grey suit.
Theatrical release poster
Directed byThea Sharrock
Screenplay byJojo Moyes
Based onMe Before You
by Jojo Moyes
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyRemi Adefarasin
Edited byJohn Wilson
Music byCraig Armstrong
Production
companies
Distributed byWarner Bros. Pictures
Release dates
  • 23 May 2016(2016-05-23)(New York City)
  • 3 June 2016(2016-06-03)(United Kingdom and United States)
Running time
110 minutes[1]
Countries
  • United Kingdom[2]
  • United States[2]
LanguageEnglish
Budget$20 million[3]
Box office$208.3 million[4]

The film was shot in various historic locations across the United Kingdom, includingPembroke Castlein Wales andChenies Manor HouseinBuckinghamshire,England. Released on 3 June 2016 in the United Kingdom and North America, the film received mixed reviews and grossed $208 million worldwide.[4][5]

Plot

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Louisa "Lou" Clark is hired as a carer for Will Traynor, a once successful banker and active sportsman nowtetraplegicafter being hit by a motorcycle. Will's mother hopes Lou's bubbly personality will lift Will's depressed and cynical spirits. Will is initially cold towards Lou. Will's ex-girlfriend Alicia visits and reveals that she is going to marry Will's former best friend Rupert. Lou perseveres with Will and, as the two grow close, she learns he is cultured and worldly, in contrast to her simple life spent with her parents or boyfriend Patrick.

Overhearing an argument between Will's parents, Lou learns that Will has conceded six months to them before he will go toDignitasin Switzerland forassisted suicide,as he is unable to accept a disabled life. Lou takes it upon herself to change his mind by organizing trips and adventures to show him that life is still worth living. Patrick's jealousy grows until he and Lou split up.

Will asks Lou to accompany him to Alicia's wedding. They start to fall in love. During a luxurious trip toMauritius,Will tells Lou he still intends to take assisted suicide, saying he wants her to live a full life instead of half a life with him. Heartbroken, Lou quits as Will's caregiver and refuses contact with him.

Lou's father convinces her to visit Will, but she finds he has already left for Switzerland. She follows him there to be with him in his final moments.

A few weeks after Will's death, sitting at his favorite café in Paris, Lou reads a letter he left for her. In it, he says he has left her enough money to follow her dreams and encourages her to live abundantly.

Cast

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Production

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Development

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On 2 April 2014, it was announcedThea Sharrockwould direct the film.[10]Before casting,Emilia Clarkeknew she wanted to audition for this role, saying, "That's just kind of an interesting concoction I hadn't read before".[11]On 2 September 2014, Clarke andSam Claflinwere cast in the film.[6]Steve Peacockewas cast on 24 March 2015,[12]withJenna ColemanandCharles Dancecast on 2 April 2015.[8]On 9 April 2015,Janet McTeerjoined the cast;[7]Brendan Coyle,Matthew Lewis,Samantha Spiro,Vanessa KirbyandBen Lloyd-Hughesjoined the cast the next day.[9]Claflin described his role as "probably the most physically challenging thing that I've ever done".[13]

Filming

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Pembroke Castlein Wales, one of the locations featured in the film

Principal photographybegan on 29 April 2015 and ended on 26 June 2015.[14][15]The film was shot in various locations in the United Kingdom, including:[16][17]

Costume

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Jill Taylor, the costume designer, thought Lou would have more of a 'quirky' wardrobe based on the book "she has these ‘leprechaun’ shoes, so we had to find some quirky shoes. By accident, we were in a shop and found these amazing shoes byIrregular Choice,and I just thought, ‘Oh, my God, that's Lou!’ They suddenly became the basis of her wardrobe of shoes.”[18]Will's character's clothing was more based on his before accident life as he wore luxurious suits.[18]

Music

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Main article:Me Before You (soundtrack)

Release

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In July 2014, it was announced that the film would be released on 21 August 2015.[19]In May 2015, the film's release date was moved to 3 June 2016.[20]In November 2015, the film's release date was brought forward, to 4 March 2016,[21]before being delayed again in January 2016, to its previous 3 June 2016 release date.[22]

Reception

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Box office

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Me Before Yougrossed $56.2 million in North America and over $152 million in other territories for a total of $208.3 million, against a budget of $20 million.[4]

In North America,Me Before Youopened on 3 June 2016 alongsidePopstar: Never Stop Never StoppingandTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadowsand was expected to gross around $15 million from 2,704 theaters in its opening weekend.[23]The film grossed $1.4 million from its Thursday night previews and $7.8 million on its first day.[24]In its opening weekend the film grossed $18.3 million, finishing third at the box office behindTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows($35.3 million) andX-Men: Apocalypse($22.3 million).[25]

Critical response

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OnRotten Tomatoes,the film has an approval rating of 54% based on reviews from 180 critics, and an average rating of 5.5/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Me Before Youbenefits from Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin's alluring chemistry, although it isn't enough to compensate for its clumsy treatment of a sensitive subject. "[26]OnMetacritic,the film has a score of 51 out of 100 based on 36 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[5]Audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.[27]

Chris Nashawaty ofEntertainment Weeklygave it a grade of B+ and wrote: "It may not quite rise to the level of a classic three-hankie tearjerker, but it's proof that sometimes one or two hankies is more than enough to get the job done."[28][29][30]

Accolades

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Award Category Recipient(s) Result Ref.
People's Choice Awards Favorite Dramatic Movie Me Before You Won [31]
Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie: Liplock Emilia ClarkeandSam Claflin Nominated [32]
MTV Movie & TV Awards Tearjerker Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin Nominated [33]

Controversy and protests

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The film sparked criticism from many in thedisability rights movement,who perceive an underlying message that people with disabilities are a burden on their families andcarers,and claim the film promotes the view that people are better off dead than disabled.[34]They view the film asadvocacy of suicideso that their loved ones can "live boldly".[35][36]Others found the film exploitative of the disability community by stirring the emotions of viewers without actually aiding disabled people by accurate representation or employment in acting roles, while pointing out the casting of non-disabled actors as disabled characters.[37]The #MeBeforeEuthanasia backlash was led by celebrities with disabilities includingLiz Carr,Penny Pepper,[38]Mik Scarlet[35]andCherylee Houston[39]in the United Kingdom, andDominick EvansandEmily Ladau[40]in the United States, as well as activists from Not Dead Yet in both countries.[41]Protests in the United States occurred in cities including Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, Hartford, Denver, Atlanta, Chicago, Baltimore and Philadelphia.[42][43]There were also protests in Australia.[44]

In response to the backlash, author Jojo Moyes said the story was inspired by her own family where relatives required 24-hour care, as well as a real-life news story about a quadriplegic man who convinced his parents to take him to a centre for assisted suicide. About Traynor's decision, she said: "The fact is, in the film as in the book, nobody else agrees with what he decides to do. This is not by any means sending out a message. It's just about one character – it's nothing more than that."[45]

See also

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References

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  1. ^"Me Before You(12A) ".British Board of Film Classification.21 April 2016. Archived fromthe originalon 23 April 2016.Retrieved21 April2016.
  2. ^abGant, Charles (24 May 2016)."'Me Before You': Review ".Screen Daily.Archived fromthe originalon 1 June 2016.Retrieved4 June2016.
  3. ^Riley, Jenelle."'Me Before You' Aims to Take on Hollywood's Superhero-Heavy Slate ".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on 26 May 2016.Retrieved26 May2016.
  4. ^abc"Me Before You (2016)".Box Office Mojo.Archivedfrom the original on 11 August 2014.Retrieved18 December2016.
  5. ^ab"Me Before You reviews".Metacritic.Archivedfrom the original on 4 May 2021.Retrieved18 June2021.
  6. ^abcFleming, Mike (2 September 2014)."'GOT's Emilia Clarke, 'Hunger Games' Sam Claflin To Star In MGM's 'Me Before You'".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 25 July 2015.Retrieved24 July2015.
  7. ^abFord, Rebecca (9 April 2015)."Janet McTeer Joins MGM's 'Me Before You' (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on 27 July 2015.Retrieved24 July2015.
  8. ^abcFleming, Mike (2 April 2015)."'Doctor Who's Jenna Coleman, 'Game Of Thrones' Charles Dance Join 'Me Before You'".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 4 April 2015.Retrieved24 July2015.
  9. ^abcdFord, Rebecca (10 April 2015)."MGM's 'Me Before You' Rounds Out Cast (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.Archivedfrom the original on 27 July 2015.Retrieved24 July2015.
  10. ^Fleming, Mike (2 April 2014)."Thea Sharrock To Direct 'Me Before You' Movie For MGM".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 16 June 2018.Retrieved24 July2015.
  11. ^"INTERVIEW: Emilia Clarke on Me Before You and Game of Thrones".HuffPost.6 June 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 8 December 2022.Retrieved8 December2022.
  12. ^Kroll, Justin (24 March 2015)."'Me Before You': Stephen Peacocke Joins MGM Movie ".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on 24 July 2015.Retrieved24 July2015.
  13. ^"Why 'Me Before You' is Sam Claflin's 'Most Physically Challenging' Role".ABC News.31 May 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 8 December 2022.Retrieved8 December2022.
  14. ^McClurg, Jocelyn (26 February 2015)."Moyes writes sequel to 'Me Before You'".USA Today.Archivedfrom the original on 16 August 2015.Retrieved24 July2015.
  15. ^"On the Set for 6/29/15: Justin Lin Rolls Cameras on 'Star Trek Beyond', Emilia Clarke Wraps 'Me Before You'".SSN Insider.29 September 2015. Archived fromthe originalon 24 September 2015.Retrieved24 July2015.
  16. ^Stamp, Elizabeth (2 June 2016)."Me Before You's Romantic Filming Locations ".Architectural Digest.Archivedfrom the original on 31 October 2020.Retrieved12 July2020.
  17. ^Thorpe, Vanessa (22 May 2016)."Me Before You: not just a tearjerker".The Observer.Archivedfrom the original on 15 June 2016.Retrieved3 July2016.
  18. ^abSutherlin, Margaret (7 June 2016)."Inside the Costumes For Summer Hit 'Me Before You'".Footwear News.Archivedfrom the original on 28 October 2020.Retrieved8 December2022.
  19. ^"WB Dates 'Me Before You' For August 2015".Deadline Hollywood.16 July 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 25 July 2015.Retrieved24 July2015.
  20. ^Busch, Anita (14 May 2015)."'Me Before You' Gets Release Date From Warner Bros ".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 26 August 2018.Retrieved24 July2015.
  21. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (12 November 2015)."Emilia Clarke Drama 'Me Before You' Moves Up To March".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 14 November 2015.Retrieved14 November2015.
  22. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (15 January 2016)."Emilia Clarke Drama 'Me Before You' Returns To Its Original June Release Date".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 2 April 2016.Retrieved17 April2016.
  23. ^Doty, Meriah (31 May 2016)."'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Sequel to Top Box Office, But Faces Troubled Waters Ahead ".TheWrap.Archivedfrom the original on 2 June 2016.Retrieved1 June2016.
  24. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (3 June 2016)."'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2', 'Me Before You' Get Thursday Night Going – Box Office ".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 11 February 2021.Retrieved3 June2016.
  25. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (5 June 2016)."'Ninja Turtles 2' Muscles Up On Saturday For OK Est. $35.3M Opening; 'Me Before You' Opens To $18.3M – Sunday AM B.O. Update ".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 11 February 2021.Retrieved5 June2016.
  26. ^"Me Before You (2016)".Rotten Tomatoes.Archivedfrom the original on 18 June 2021.Retrieved22 November2021.
  27. ^D'Alessandro, Anthony (5 June 2016)."'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2' Struggles With Sequelitis; 'Me Before You' Lures In The Ladies ".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 11 February 2021.Retrieved17 April2020.
  28. ^Chris Nashawaty (24 May 2016)."'Me Before You': EW review ".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on 25 July 2021.Retrieved19 February2021.
  29. ^"'Me Before You': Film Review ".The Hollywood Reporter.24 May 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 1 May 2021.Retrieved19 February2021.
  30. ^Barker, Andrew (24 May 2016)."Film Review: 'Me Before You'".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on 25 July 2021.Retrieved19 February2021.
  31. ^Hipes, Patrick (15 November 2016)."People's Choice Awards Nominees 2017 — Full List".Deadline Hollywood.Archivedfrom the original on 3 May 2017.Retrieved15 November2016.
  32. ^Vulpo, Mike (24 May 2016)."Teen Choice Awards 2016 Nominations Announced: See the" First Wave "of Potential Winners".E!.Archivedfrom the original on 26 May 2016.Retrieved25 May2016.
  33. ^Johnson, Zach (6 April 2017)."Guardians of the Galaxy Lands 7 MTV Movie Awards Nominations".E! News.Archivedfrom the original on 6 April 2017.Retrieved6 April2017.
  34. ^Pritchard, Stephen (29 May 2016)."The readers' editor on... portraying disability".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 30 May 2016.Retrieved31 May2016.
  35. ^abPring, John (26 May 2016)."Activists protest outside premiere of 'disability snuff movie'".Disability News Service.Archivedfrom the original on 21 January 2021.Retrieved31 May2016.
  36. ^Hollywood, Michaela (28 May 2016)."Me Before You makes having a disability seem worse than death".The Independent.Archivedfrom the original on 12 May 2022.Retrieved31 May2016.
  37. ^Somvichian-Clausen, Austa (12 December 2019)."Should disabled roles go to the disabled?".The Hill.Archivedfrom the original on 30 November 2020.Retrieved13 December2020.
  38. ^Pepper, Penny (1 June 2016)."We long to watch disabled characters like us. Instead we get Me Before You".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on 11 February 2021.Retrieved2 June2016.
  39. ^Wareing, Charlotte (25 May 2016)."Coronation Street's Cherylee Houston slams film Me Before You over its image of disabled people".Daily Mirror.Archivedfrom the original on 17 June 2021.Retrieved31 May2016.
  40. ^Wanshel, Elyse (10 June 2016)."The Disability Community Is Pissed AF About 'Me Before You'".The Huffington Post.Archivedfrom the original on 22 June 2016.Retrieved26 June2016.
  41. ^Goldberg, Haley (26 May 2016)."Why Some Disability Rights Activists Are Protesting 'Me Before You'".Self.Archivedfrom the original on 16 April 2021.Retrieved12 July2020.
  42. ^Richardson, Valerie (3 June 2016)."'Me Before You' movie spurs disabled-rights protests over pro-suicide message ".The Washington Times.Archivedfrom the original on 17 June 2021.Retrieved26 December2020.
  43. ^"'Me Before You,' a movie about a paralyzed man who opts to die ".14 June 2016.Archivedfrom the original on 10 April 2021.Retrieved10 April2021.
  44. ^Quinn, Karl (16 June 2016)."Me Before You, starring GoT's Emilia Clarke, is a 'disability snuff movie', say protesters".The Sydney Morning Herald.Archivedfrom the original on 6 December 2020.Retrieved26 June2016.
  45. ^Hall, Harriet (2 June 2016)."Watch author Jojo Moyes respond to controversy over the portrayal of disability in Me Before You".Stylist.Archivedfrom the original on 21 April 2021.Retrieved16 July2020.
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