Me Before You (2016)
Film details
Drama · Romance · Thea Sharrock · 1h 50min
Synopsis
Lou Clark, a directionless 26-year-old from the English countryside, takes a job at the local castle as a caregiver and companion to a wealthy young banker, Will Traynor. Wheelchair-bound from an accident two years prior, the once adventurous Will has all but given up — that is until Lou determines to show him that life is worth living.
Verdict
Romanticizes assisted suicide as an act of love and valid autonomy.
In-depth analysis
The film skillfully constructs an emotional narrative that presents assisted suicide as the heroic culmination of a love story. The issue is not its depiction of Will's suffering or his struggle with disability — that would be legitimate drama. The problem lies in the work's elimination of any perspective upholding the sanctity of life, crowning euthanasia as the ultimate act of autonomy and courage. Lou tries to convince him to live, but the film makes it clear that she 'doesn't understand' and that respecting his decision is the highest form of love. Will's mother, an opponent, is portrayed as selfishly clinging. The script leverages viewer compassion to validate a vision of the human person where life is only valuable if it meets certain quality standards. There is no mention of the possibility of finding meaning, purpose, or transcendence in suffering. The direction prioritizes emotional impact: the final scene is serene, beautiful, 'dignified'. It is precise social engineering disguised as romance. For parents, this work requires discernment: it is not a love story, but a manifesto for the throwaway culture.