From page to screen: "Me before You"

One of the biggest fears that book-nerds like me have is when books we love turn into movies that just aren't good. There was absolutely no need to worry when it comes to the movie adaptation of Jojo Moyes' beautiful novel 'Me before You'. It was a fantastic film that completely does the book justice. The novel is heartbreaking and heartwarming, which transpired into the film. 

I walked out of the cinema sighing with relief and happiness, because the two friends I saw it with haven't read the book and I had been going on and on and on about how much I loved Moyes novel and hyping it up. And both of them loved the film and said they were willing to pay and see the movie again and now want to read the book too. YAY! Because I really had been talking about this film and book all year. I first saw the trailer for the movie in January and straight away I was so excited and couldn't wait to see it. So for the past six months I have been watching as many versions of the trailer on youtube, as well as a couple of interviews and it was this time last week when I actually read the book, and fell in love with the story and characters instantly. 

Louisa Clark is a 26 year old who is recently unemployed and finds a job (without any qualifications or previous experiences) as the carer and companion of Will. Will, two years previously was a successful businessman working in London, loved holidaying to exciting places and was leading a great life, until he was run down in a motorcycle accident which lead him to a spinal cord injury. Now a quadriplegic, Will meets Louisa and although at first resentful for her presence, during her six month contract, they form a friendship. Desperate to prove to Will that his life is still worth living, Louisa is determined to create fun days out and activities, which don't always go according to plan. 

Written in the first person through the eyes of Louisa, the reader too feels the anxiety of a new job, the daunting and awkward moments with the encounters with Will and his family, and the urgency that grows throughout the six months spending time with him. This was not lost in the film, as Emilia Clarke seems to be made for the role of Louisa. She is perfectly awkward and bright, quirky and loveable, and the chemistry between co star Sam Claflin, is beautiful to watch. 

The relationship between the two characters is a balance of tentative and intimate, which although sounds like a contradictory statement, is clearly portrayed on the screen and validates that statement. The story itself features sensitive subjects, for example, Dignitas, which the film depicts with the same sensitivity and understanding which is demonstrated in Jojo Moyes' book and an insight into Will's need for choice.

Not only were the actors perfectly cast, the set and landscape was exactly how I imagined it to be. When watching the movie, it felt like I was reading the book all over again, which is such a wonderful feeling, as it just matched my imagination so well. Mind you, I did watch trailers so many times, so that would have impacted on me subconsciously, but I really and honestly believe that this film  is one of the best novel adaptations I've ever seen, as it stuck so true to the book. Obviously there were a few things that were left out in the film, but they weren't key essential points. I also imagined the mother of Will to be a lot more intimidating than she was in the movie, but I think Janet McTeer's portrayal of Camilla was better and more believable than what my imagination gave me. I also thought that the character Patrick was more of a dick in the novel than in the movie, but I'm okay with that. 

Also with a great soundtrack- featuring two Ed Sheeran songs, both 'Thinking out loud' and 'Photographs' appropriately chosen- this movie really had everything well thought out. As I said earlier, it is a heartbreaking and heartwarming read and watch, which will make you cry from love and sadness. I can easily give both book and film 10/10