STORY : Louisa (Emilia Clarke) and Will (Sam Claflin ) are poles apart from each other. A bike accident leaves him tied to his wheelchair, coming to terms with his quadriplegic life. She lands the job of being his caretaker. Cupid plays its part but does this love story end in happily-ever-after?

REVIEW : Jojo Moyes’ tearjerker novel by the same name tells the touching love story of two unlikely people who make the emotional journey from being strangers to soulmates. It is one helluva sappy film but this ballad of love is surprisingly both effective and endearing. The plot is predictable but the striking warmth works as a saving grace. Of course, Lou and Will are meant to fall in love from the first time they meet but the writers don’t let it happen easy. A good part of the first hour is wasted on her boyfriend who must become an ex. You are bound to question why Lou is soft on him in the first place, considering they can barely hold a conversation with each other.

Like the drill goes, the mundane relationship acts as a perfect prelude to Lou and Will’s impassioned romance. He goes from curt to smitten as she makes him fall in love again. Emilia and Sam’s sensational chemistry is what makes the film work. They give some tender moments, spin magic sans words, just by batting their eyes. Jojo and her director Thea Sharrock keep melodrama in check, despite ample scope for it.

The only point of contention is the screenplay’s inability to focus better on Will’s sentiments about his injury. Though it is commendable that a British film has taken a rather pragmatic, matured and non religious stand on euthanasia, it is a shame that the film never delves deeper into the debate or makes a convincing case in its favour. Me Before You gets busy whipping up a tragic tale instead of making a point about the delicate issue. It is hard to appreciate a narrative that can only skim the surface but then again Emilia and Sam’s chemistry makes you buy into their cozy world.