I'd read the book by Jojo Moyes back in March and loved it so much much that I knew I couldn't wait to see the film on this occasion. I usually prefer to read a book before seeing the film adaptation as in most cases, it's always much better, and this was the case with Me Before You, but I still enjoyed the film for what it was.
The problem is that the book raises some very serious issues. If you're not familiar with the story, it's about Louisa Clark, happy with her lot in life, and Will Traynor, the guy who had everything, including his health until an accident robbed him of this and he became quadriplegic. I don't want to say too much about the story in case I spoil it for anyone who hasn't yet read the book or seen the film, however, some serious subjects were tackled in the book. To then portray the story on film as a chick flick has, in my opinion, done it an injustice as I think these topics were skirted around and they should have been given a greater prominence in the film.
I can see the point of many disability activists who are up in arms about the film showing the life of a paralysed man in a negative light, but had the film been made in a different vein and steered away from the chick flick genre, I'm sure the serious issues could have been dealt with more appropriately.
I did enjoy the film though and if you're thinking of going, I can recommend you take plenty of tissues with you. There's one point in particular when the whole audience were wiping away their tears and lots of sniffs could be heard. I was managing to hold it all in until the girl next to me (not Eleanor) started literally sobbing. Mind you, I cry at the John Lewis Christmas adverts, there's no hope for me.
The book made me cry, don't think I want to see the movie.
ReplyDeleteI found the book sadder than the film but then it went in to more detail about things than the film did.
DeleteI loved the book, not sure about wanting to see the film. The sequel, After you was not as good.
ReplyDeleteIt's the best book I've read in a long time. I still haven't made up my mind whether I'll read After You or not, I don't want it spoiling the first book for me.
DeleteI actually can't remember the last time I went to the cinema. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThe last film I saw at the cinema was Les Miserables and that was in 2012.
DeleteThanks for the info. I'll look out for it.
ReplyDeleteI'd definitely recommend reading the book before seeing the film.
DeleteI cry at the John Lewis advert every Christmas as well. Aren't we daft? :o)
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's any hope for either of us.
DeleteSounds good, though I'm not sure I could sit in a theatre and sniffle, & as you say, at home it's much more comfortable for the tears. It's like I once read a book called A Week in Winter, whilst working for a short period and was catching the train in and the book was very emotional & I had to only read it at home. I'll keep an eye out for the film. Take care.
ReplyDeleteEveryone was in the same boat, reaching for the tissues. I'd recommend reading the book if you get chance before seeing the film, I'm sure you'd enjoy it much more.
DeleteI think there are many of us who cry at the John Lewis advert!
ReplyDeleteI must admit films like this , when I know tissues will be needed I'd rather watch at home.
Enjoy your Sunday ...
All the best Jan
I'm usually like that but I really wanted to see this film, and it wasn't as though I was the only one with a tissue in my hand, in fact, you'd feel slightly odd if you didn't have a tissue in your hand.
DeleteI so need to read that book, it has been on my to-read list forever. Thank you for your thoughts.
ReplyDeleteMeredith
I'd had it waiting to be read on my Kindle for months, I'd have definitely read it sooner if I'd known how good it was.
DeleteMy Book Borrowers group all read this one and loved it, the topic was such a subject to chat about. We are planning a cinema trip to see it.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a brilliant book for a book group, as you say, lots of subjects to discuss afterwards. Take plenty of tissues with you when you go to the cinema.
DeleteIt's not a film I'd choose to watch, and I see that it's been in the news recently. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI don't think it will be everyone's cup of tea but the subjects tackled certainly makes you think. It has been in the news, I think that was inevitable given the subject matter.
DeleteCinema or Sky? Like you, John Lewis always has me in tears, but I know Sarah wants to see this, so I might have to suffer. Perhaps I can claim hayfever?
ReplyDeleteThere's lots of funny bits in the film too so at least you get to laugh as well as cry.
DeleteI think I'd rather watch at home anything that might make me cry... I haven't read this book though. Does the film have Emilia whatsit from Game of Thrones in it? Or maybe I'm thinking of somebody else.
ReplyDeleteI'm the same but I just couldn't wait to see this film after reading the book. Yes, the film has Emilia Clarke in it, and Sam Claflin from The Hunger Games.
DeleteIt's always good to read the book first isn't it. It's a shame that they didn't carry the important themes through, but I'm glad you enjoyed your trip out with Eleanor.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
I much prefer reading a book before seeing a film, there's always such a lot left out of a film. The important themes were at the forefront of the book but being a chick flick, the film was more about them falling in love.
DeleteThis is one of my all time favourite books, and one that i recommend to everyone :-) I've read a few of her other books and they are a bit hit and miss, this one is hard to top though.
ReplyDeleteNot sure i will go and see the film, i'm far too critical when i've read the book, lol
It's one of my favourite books too, I read it on my Kindle but the actual book is on my Christmas wish list so that I can keep it, and I don't keep many books so that's high praise indeed. I haven't read any other Jojo Moyes books and I'm not sure I want to read the sequel to this either, just in case it spoils it for me. I know what you mean about seeing the film, if you do go to see it, you'll see that it follows the storyline of the book without delving too deeply. I went to see it expecting it not to live up to the book, so it didn't disappoint, I still enjoyed it.
DeleteNot just me that cries at adverts then? I put it down to being a Mum, i'm sure I wasn't half so sentimental before.
ReplyDeleteJean
I think you're right about that, and I tend to cry because of happy things as well as sad ones.
DeleteYup, I'm a big weeper too & much moreso since having the kids, it seems.
ReplyDeleteMore often than not, I will see a movie that is based on a book that I read and be thoroughly disappointed as certain key aspects of the book will often be either entirely overlooked or misrepresented in some way. I'm glad that you enjoyed the movie, even though it slipped a bit from the book's take-away.
I've often been disappointed by a film after reading the book, it seems whole chunks of the storyline are often missed out, or even changed, as you say. I now take the film for what it is rather than watching thinking it's going to be like the book as, more often than not, it isn't. I enjoy the films much more being in this mindset.
DeleteI've not been to the cinema for ages Jo. I find that the sound is usually so loud that it makes me feel ill. I try to remember to take ear plugs when I go but it's not a comfortable experience wearing them. Will look out for this one when it eventually hits the small screen.
ReplyDeleteThe sound does that to me too sometimes. I know you're a reader so I'd definitely recommend the book over the film.
DeleteI honestly thought the book was average, and although I loved the character of Louisa I really wasn't keen on Will. I felt I never really got to know him very well, and was left feeling rather empty. I didn't finish the sequel as the characters just didn't draw me in. I will probably wait for the film to be shown on the telly! I hardly ever go to the cinema due to the cost and the logistics of needing a childminder for three children with disabilities, but I have to admit it would be nice sometimes!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved the book and liked both characters, but I think it was harder to gel with Will at first. I haven't read the sequel, I find they're often not as good and I don't want it to spoil the first book for me. I prefer to watch films at home, I'm glad really as it's expensive to go to the cinema these days. I only go if there's something I really want to see.
DeleteBoth the book and the film have passed me by - oh dear!
ReplyDeleteThere's so much choice and not enough time to read everything.
DeleteI read a review of the film in my paper today, which was extremely critical of the handling of disability in the film.
DeleteI don't want to say too much here in case anyone is going to read the book or see the film but like I said, some issues were skirted around in the film and not given the prominence they deserve, many disability activists are unhappy with how Will's life is shown in a negative light. I think the issues were handled more sensitively in the book and really made you think.
DeleteHey Jo,
ReplyDeleteI love going to the cinema! WE are lucky enough to have one in St Ives, and I'm a member, so my tickets are discounted. I've always loved going. Before kids and Marc, I often used to go on my own. It was a real treat. I've read Me Before You, and enjoyed it too. I thought the themes and issues I've recommended it to many people since. I don't think I'll go see it at the cinema though. Although I do like a good old weepy ;)
Leanne xx
I've never been a regular cinema goer but I can understand people who are, I usually enjoy it when I do go. I loved the book and the film was okay for what it was, I'd definitely recommend the book but I'd only advise going to the cinema to see the film if you want to see a chick flick with not a lot of substance.
DeleteI've not read the book, but I've not found the film appealing from seeing the trailer for it.
ReplyDeleteI've not been to the cinema for ages, but there are a couple of films out at the moment that I quite fancy seeing.
I knew exactly what the film was going to be like from the trailer, very different from the book. I can thoroughly recommend the book if you get chance to read it. I doubt I'd have gone to the cinema to see the film if I hadn't read the book, in fact, I know I wouldn't, it was only curiosity after reading such a good book why I did.
DeleteOh, it sounds like a great book, films often get it wrong, but there did seem to be some moments in the film that moved you all....I shall go and see it, haven't read the book so may try to do that first.xxx
ReplyDeleteDefinitely read the book first. The film could have been so much better if they hadn't slotted it in to the chick flick genre, the book was so much more than that, they definitely got it wrong.
DeleteSounds like a good read. Never go to the cinema, the last film I saw was Every Which Way you can. 1970's
ReplyDeleteGoodness, I thought it was a long time since I'd been to the cinema but I think you'll take some beating.
DeleteI haven't been to the cinema for years either, we have a projector and screen so we can watch on a biggish screen at home! You make me want to read that book now, no desire to watch the film tho' ;)
ReplyDeleteThe film is one of those which I wouldn't bother watching again but I shall definitely read the book again, and that's something I don't usually do.
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