Me Before You (film)

Louisa "Lou" Clark is hired as a carer for Will Traynor, a once successful banker and active sportsman now tetraplegic after 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 to Dignitas in Switzerland for assisted 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 to Mauritius, 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.

{{castlist|

• Emilia Clarke as Louisa "Lou" Clark{{cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike |url=https://deadline.com/2014/09/gots-emilia-clarke-hunger-games-sam-claflin-to-star-in-mgms-me-before-you-827768/ |title='GOT's Emilia Clarke, 'Hunger Games' Sam Claflin To Star In MGM's 'Me Before You' |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=2014-09-02 |access-date=2015-07-24 |archive-date=25 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725011240/http://deadline.com/2014/09/gots-emilia-clarke-hunger-games-sam-claflin-to-star-in-mgms-me-before-you-827768/ |url-status=live}}
• Sam Claflin as William "Will" Traynor
• Janet McTeer as Camilla Traynor{{cite magazine |last=Ford |first=Rebecca |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/janet-mcteer-joins-mgms-me-787609 |title=Janet McTeer Joins MGM's 'Me Before You' (Exclusive) |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |date=2015-04-09 |access-date=2015-07-24 |archive-date=27 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150727133844/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/janet-mcteer-joins-mgms-me-787609 |url-status=live}}
• Charles Dance as Steven Traynor
• Brendan Coyle as Bernard Clark
• Steve Peacocke as Nathan
• Matthew Lewis as Patrick{{cite magazine |last=Ford |first=Rebecca |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mgms-me-before-you-rounds-787792 |title=MGM's 'Me Before You' Rounds Out Cast (Exclusive) |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter |date=10 April 2015 |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-date=27 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150727135403/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/mgms-me-before-you-rounds-787792 |url-status=live}}
• Jenna Coleman as Katrina "Treena" Clark{{cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike |url=https://deadline.com/2015/04/me-before-you-jenna-coleman-doctor-who-charles-dance-1201403509/ |title='Doctor Who's Jenna Coleman, 'Game Of Thrones' Charles Dance Join 'Me Before You' |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=2015-04-02 |access-date=2015-07-24 |archive-date=4 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150404203954/https://deadline.com/2015/04/me-before-you-jenna-coleman-doctor-who-charles-dance-1201403509/ |url-status=live}}
• Samantha Spiro as Josie Clark
• Alan Breck as Grandad
• Vanessa Kirby as Alicia Dawares
• Joanna Lumley as Mary Rawlinson
• Ben Lloyd-Hughes as Rupert Collins
• Diane Morgan as Sharon
• Chris Wilson as Major Timothy Dawares

}}

On 2 April 2014, it was announced Thea Sharrock would direct the film.{{cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike |url=https://deadline.com/2014/04/mgm-sets-thea-sharrock-to-helm-me-before-you-708420/ |title=Thea Sharrock To Direct 'Me Before You' Movie For MGM |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=2 April 2014 |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-date=16 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616053305/https://deadline.com/2014/04/mgm-sets-thea-sharrock-to-helm-me-before-you-708420/ |url-status=live}} Before casting, Emilia Clarke knew she wanted to audition for this role, saying, "That's just kind of an interesting concoction I hadn't read before".{{Cite web |date=6 June 2016 |title=INTERVIEW: Emilia Clarke on Me Before You and Game of Thrones |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/interview-emilia-clarke-o_b_10321784 |access-date=8 December 2022 |website=HuffPost |archive-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208044502/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/interview-emilia-clarke-o_b_10321784 |url-status=live}} On 2 September 2014, Clarke and Sam Claflin were cast in the film. Steve Peacocke was cast on 24 March 2015,{{cite magazine |last=Kroll |first=Justin |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/me-before-you-stephen-peacocke-casting-home-and-away-1201458382/ |title='Me Before You': Stephen Peacocke Joins MGM Movie |magazine=Variety |date=24 March 2015 |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-date=24 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150724214341/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/me-before-you-stephen-peacocke-casting-home-and-away-1201458382/ |url-status=live}} with Jenna Coleman and Charles Dance cast on 2 April 2015. On 9 April 2015, Janet McTeer joined the cast; Brendan Coyle, Matthew Lewis, Samantha Spiro, Vanessa Kirby and Ben Lloyd-Hughes joined the cast the next day. Claflin described his role as "probably the most physically challenging thing that I've ever done".{{cite web |title=Why 'Me Before You' is Sam Claflin's 'Most Physically Challenging' Role |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/sam-claflins-physically-challenging-role/story?id=39489297 |publisher=ABC News |date=31 May 2016 |access-date=8 December 2022 |archive-date=8 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221208044502/https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/sam-claflins-physically-challenging-role/story?id=39489297 |url-status=live}}

{{stack|File:Pembroke Castle - June 2011.jpg in Wales, one of the locations featured in the film]]}}

Principal photography began on 29 April 2015 and ended on 26 June 2015.{{cite news |last=McClurg |first=Jocelyn |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2015/02/26/me-before-you-sequel-after-you-jojo-moyes-emilia-clarke-sam-claflin/23997093/ |title=Moyes writes sequel to 'Me Before You' |newspaper=USA Today |date=26 February 2015 |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-date=16 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150816083719/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2015/02/26/me-before-you-sequel-after-you-jojo-moyes-emilia-clarke-sam-claflin/23997093/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-62915-justin-lin-rolls-cameras-on-star-trek-beyond-emilia-clarke-wraps-me-before-you/ |title=On the Set for 6/29/15: Justin Lin Rolls Cameras on 'Star Trek Beyond', Emilia Clarke Wraps 'Me Before You' |website=SSN Insider |date=29 September 2015 |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924105419/http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-62915-justin-lin-rolls-cameras-on-star-trek-beyond-emilia-clarke-wraps-me-before-you/ |archive-date=24 September 2015}} The film was shot in various locations in the United Kingdom, including:{{cite magazine |last=Stamp |first=Elizabeth |url=https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/me-before-you-filming-locations |title=Me Before You{{'}}s Romantic Filming Locations |magazine=Architectural Digest |date=2 June 2016 |access-date=12 July 2020 |archive-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031123859/https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/me-before-you-filming-locations |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last=Thorpe |first=Vanessa |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/may/22/me-before-you-film-love-disability-thea-sharrock-sam-claflin |title=Me Before You: not just a tearjerker |newspaper=The Observer |date=22 May 2016 |access-date=3 July 2016 |archive-date=15 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615044058/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/may/22/me-before-you-film-love-disability-thea-sharrock-sam-claflin |url-status=live}}

• Pembroke Castle in Pembroke, Wales (the Traynors' estate);
• Wytham Abbey in Oxfordshire, England (the Traynors' home within the castle walls);
• Sandown Park Racecourse in Esher, Surrey, England (horse race and airport check-in scenes);
• Harrow, London (Lou's family home) and Chenies Manor House in Chenies, Buckinghamshire, England (wedding scenes); and
• Mallorca, Spain, which stands in for Mauritius.

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 by Irregular Choice, and I just thought, ‘Oh, my God, that's Lou!’ They suddenly became the basis of her wardrobe of shoes.”{{Cite web |last=Sutherlin |first=Margaret |date=2016-06-07 |title=Inside the Costumes For Summer Hit 'Me Before You' |url=https://footwearnews.com/2016/fn-spy/uncategorized/costumes-for-me-before-you-emilia-clarke-sam-claflin-jill-taylor-227765/ |access-date=2022-12-08 |website=Footwear News |archive-date=28 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028081604/https://footwearnews.com/2016/fn-spy/uncategorized/costumes-for-me-before-you-emilia-clarke-sam-claflin-jill-taylor-227765/ |url-status=live}} Will's character's clothing was more based on his before accident life as he wore luxurious suits.

{{Main|Me Before You (soundtrack){{!}}Me Before You (soundtrack)}}

In July 2014, it was announced that the film would be released on 21 August 2015.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2014/07/me-before-you-movie-release-date-2015-805337/ |title=WB Dates 'Me Before You' For August 2015 |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=2014-07-16 |access-date=2015-07-24 |archive-date=25 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150725011437/http://deadline.com/2014/07/me-before-you-movie-release-date-2015-805337/ |url-status=dead}} In May 2015, the film's release date was moved to 3 June 2016.{{cite web |last=Busch |first=Anita |url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/me-before-you-release-date-thea-sharrock-1201427043/ |title='Me Before You' Gets Release Date From Warner Bros. |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=2015-05-14 |access-date=2015-07-24 |archive-date=26 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826071443/https://deadline.com/2015/05/me-before-you-release-date-thea-sharrock-1201427043/ |url-status=live}} In November 2015, the film's release date was brought forward, to 4 March 2016,{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/me-before-you-emilia-clarke-jenna-coleman-march-release-date-1201620604/ |title=Emilia Clarke Drama 'Me Before You' Moves Up To March |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=12 November 2015 |access-date=14 November 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151114041612/https://deadline.com/2015/11/me-before-you-emilia-clarke-jenna-coleman-march-release-date-1201620604/ |archive-date=14 November 2015}} before being delayed again in January 2016, to its previous 3 June 2016 release date.{{cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/me-before-you-emilia-clarke-jenna-coleman-march-release-date-1201620604/ |title=Emilia Clarke Drama 'Me Before You' Returns To Its Original June Release Date |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=2016-01-15 |access-date=2016-04-17 |archive-date=2 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160402054104/http://deadline.com/2016/01/me-before-you-emilia-clarke-jenna-coleman-march-release-date-1201620604/ |url-status=live}}

Me Before You grossed $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.

In North America, Me Before You opened on 3 June 2016 alongside Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows and was expected to gross around $15 million from 2,704 theaters in its opening weekend.{{cite web |last=Doty |first=Meriah |url=https://www.thewrap.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-sequel-to-top-box-office-but-faces-troubled-waters-ahead/ |title='Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Sequel to Top Box Office, But Faces Troubled Waters Ahead |website=TheWrap |date=31 May 2016 |access-date=1 June 2016 |archive-date=2 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160602170137/http://www.thewrap.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-sequel-to-top-box-office-but-faces-troubled-waters-ahead/ |url-status=live}} The film grossed $1.4 million from its Thursday night previews and $7.8 million on its first day.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-2-me-before-you-pop-star-weekend-box-office-1201766674/|title='Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2', 'Me Before You' Get Thursday Night Going – Box Office|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 3, 2016|access-date=June 3, 2016|archive-date=11 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211230244/https://deadline.com/2016/06/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-2-me-before-you-pop-star-weekend-box-office-1201766674/|url-status=live}} In its opening weekend the film grossed $18.3 million, finishing third at the box office behind Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows ($35.3 million) and X-Men: Apocalypse ($22.3 million).{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-2-me-before-you-pop-star-weekend-box-office-1201766674/|title='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|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 5, 2016|access-date=June 5, 2016|archive-date=11 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211230244/https://deadline.com/2016/06/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-2-me-before-you-pop-star-weekend-box-office-1201766674/|url-status=live}}

On Rotten 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 You benefits from Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin's alluring chemistry, although it isn't enough to compensate for its clumsy treatment of a sensitive subject."{{cite web|title=Me Before You (2016)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/me_before_you/|website=Rotten Tomatoes|accessdate=22 November 2021|archive-date=18 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210618110619/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/me_before_you|url-status=live}} On Metacritic, the film has a score of 51 out of 100 based on 36 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/me-before-you|title=Me Before You reviews|website=Metacritic|accessdate=18 June 2021|archive-date=4 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210504085407/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/me-before-you|url-status=live}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale.{{cite web|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-2-me-before-you-pop-star-weekend-box-office-1201766674/|title='Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2' Struggles With Sequelitis; 'Me Before You' Lures In The Ladies|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=5 June 2016|access-date=17 April 2020|archive-date=11 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211230244/https://deadline.com/2016/06/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-2-me-before-you-pop-star-weekend-box-office-1201766674/|url-status=live}}

Chris Nashawaty of Entertainment Weekly gave 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."{{cite magazine|date=2016-05-24|author=Chris Nashawaty|title='Me Before You': EW review|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/05/24/me-before-you-ew-review/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=19 February 2021|archive-date=25 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725072449/https://ew.com/article/2016/05/24/me-before-you-ew-review/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=24 May 2016|title='Me Before You': Film Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/me-before-you-film-review-896289|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=19 February 2021|archive-date=1 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210501112949/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/me-before-you-film-review-896289|url-status=live}}{{cite web|date=24 May 2016|last=Barker|first=Andrew|title=Film Review: 'Me Before You'|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/film-review-me-before-you-emilia-clarke-sam-claflin-1201781601/|website=Variety|access-date=19 February 2021|archive-date=25 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725204858/https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/film-review-me-before-you-emilia-clarke-sam-claflin-1201781601/|url-status=live}}

The film sparked criticism from many in the disability rights movement, who perceive an underlying message that people with disabilities are a burden on their families and carers, and claim the film promotes the view that people are better off dead than disabled.{{cite web |last=Pritchard |first=Stephen |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/28/readers-editor-attitudes-changing-to-disability |title=The readers' editor on... portraying disability |work=The Guardian |date=29 May 2016 |access-date=31 May 2016 |archive-date=30 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530233458/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/may/28/readers-editor-attitudes-changing-to-disability |url-status=live}} They view the film as advocacy of suicide so that their loved ones can "live boldly".{{cite web |last=Pring |first=John |url=https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/activists-protest-outside-premiere-of-disability-snuff-movie/ |title=Activists protest outside premiere of 'disability snuff movie' |website=Disability News Service |date=26 May 2016 |access-date=31 May 2016 |archive-date=21 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121174024/https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/activists-protest-outside-premiere-of-disability-snuff-movie/ |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Hollywood |first=Michaela |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/me-before-you-film-disability-sam-claflin-emilia-clarke-assisted-suicide-death-a7052716.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/me-before-you-film-disability-sam-claflin-emilia-clarke-assisted-suicide-death-a7052716.html |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Me Before You makes having a disability seem worse than death |work=The Independent |date=28 May 2016 |access-date=31 May 2016}} 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.{{cite web|last=Somvichian-Clausen|first=Austa|url=https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/accessibility/474150-should-disabled-roles-go-to-the-disabled|title=Should disabled roles go to the disabled?|work=The Hill|date=12 December 2019|access-date=13 December 2020|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130045651/https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/accessibility/474150-should-disabled-roles-go-to-the-disabled|url-status=live}} The #MeBeforeEuthanasia backlash was led by celebrities with disabilities including Liz Carr, Penny Pepper,{{cite web |last=Pepper |first=Penny |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/01/me-before-you-suggests-better-dead-than-disabled |title=We long to watch disabled characters like us. Instead we get Me Before You |work=The Guardian |date=1 June 2016 |access-date=2 June 2016 |archive-date=11 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211051114/http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jun/01/me-before-you-suggests-better-dead-than-disabled |url-status=live}} Mik Scarlet and Cherylee Houston{{cite web |last=Wareing |first=Charlotte |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/coronation-streets-cherylee-houston-slams-8050717 |title=Coronation Street's Cherylee Houston slams film Me Before You over its image of disabled people |work=Daily Mirror |date=25 May 2016 |access-date=31 May 2016 |archive-date=17 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617062626/https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/coronation-streets-cherylee-houston-slams-8050717 |url-status=live}} in the United Kingdom, and Dominick Evans and Emily Ladau{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/me-before-you-disability_us_575add48e4b00f97fba81730|title=The Disability Community Is Pissed AF About 'Me Before You'|last=Wanshel|first=Elyse|date=2016-06-10|website=The Huffington Post|access-date=2016-06-26|archive-date=22 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160622154541/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/me-before-you-disability_us_575add48e4b00f97fba81730|url-status=live}} in the United States, as well as activists from Not Dead Yet in both countries.{{cite web|last=Goldberg|first=Haley|url=https://www.self.com/story/why-some-disability-rights-activists-are-protesting-me-before-you|title=Why Some Disability Rights Activists Are Protesting 'Me Before You'|work=Self|date=26 May 2016|access-date=12 July 2020|archive-date=16 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416105957/https://www.self.com/story/why-some-disability-rights-activists-are-protesting-me-before-you|url-status=live}} Protests in the United States occurred in cities including Los Angeles, New York City, Boston, Hartford, Denver, Atlanta, Chicago, Baltimore and Philadelphia.{{cite web|last=Richardson|first=Valerie|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jun/3/me-you-movie-spurs-disabled-rights-protests-over-p/|title='Me Before You' movie spurs disabled-rights protests over pro-suicide message|work=The Washington Times|date=3 June 2016|access-date=26 December 2020|archive-date=17 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210617062613/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/jun/3/me-you-movie-spurs-disabled-rights-protests-over-p/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/Me-Before-You-a-movie-about-a-paralyzed-11332184.php|title='Me Before You,' a movie about a paralyzed man who opts to die|date=14 June 2016|access-date=10 April 2021|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410114245/https://www.nhregister.com/connecticut/article/Me-Before-You-a-movie-about-a-paralyzed-11332184.php|url-status=live}} There were also protests in Australia.{{cite web|last=Quinn|first=Karl|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/me-before-you-starring-gots-emilia-clarke-is-a-disability-snuff-movie-say-protesters-20160616-gpkqim.html|title=Me Before You, starring GoT's Emilia Clarke, is a 'disability snuff movie', say protesters|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=16 June 2016|access-date=26 June 2016|archive-date=6 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201206013634/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/me-before-you-starring-gots-emilia-clarke-is-a-disability-snuff-movie-say-protesters-20160616-gpkqim.html|url-status=live}}

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."{{cite web|last=Hall|first=Harriet|url=https://www.stylist.co.uk/books/jojo-moyes-interview-video-watch-inspiration-disability-portrayal-me-before-you-ableism-backlash-protest-quadriplegic/128735|title=Watch author Jojo Moyes respond to controversy over the portrayal of disability in Me Before You|work=Stylist|date=2 June 2016|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421083808/https://www.stylist.co.uk/books/jojo-moyes-interview-video-watch-inspiration-disability-portrayal-me-before-you-ableism-backlash-protest-quadriplegic/128735|url-status=live}}

• Guzaarish, 2010 Indian film about a quadriplegic man wishing to be euthanized.
• The Sea Inside, 2004 Spanish film based on the real-life story of Ramón Sampedro.
• Disability in the arts

{{Reflist}}

• {{Official website}}
• {{IMDb title}}
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20170823042109/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/579dd5059f601 Me Before You] at the British Film Institute{{better source needed|reason=Help request: a live link can be searched for at https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/search/expert - if available, replace the archive URL with the live link. Or if none found, remove this 'better source needed' template. | date=October 2023}}

{{Thea Sharrock}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Me Before You}}

Category:2016 films

Category:2016 directorial debut films

Category:2016 romantic drama films

Category:2010s American films

Category:2010s British films

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Category:American romantic drama films

Category:British romantic drama films

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Category:Film controversies

Category:Films about euthanasia

Category:Films about people with paraplegia or tetraplegia

Category:Films based on British novels

Category:Films based on romance novels

Category:Films directed by Thea Sharrock

Category:Films produced by Karen Rosenfelt

Category:Films scored by Craig Armstrong (composer)

Category:Films set in England

Category:Films set in London

Category:Films set in Mauritius

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Category:Films set in Switzerland

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Category:Films shot in London

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Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films

Category:New Line Cinema films