Fans of tear-jerking romance movies may find their match in the new film Me Before You , which stars "Game of Thrones" star Emilia Clarke and "The Hunger Games " star Sam Claflin as two loveables. Charming star-crossed lovers. In the film, Clark plays Louisa Clark (no relation), who is unsure of where her life is headed when she takes a new job caring for a paralyzed man, Will Traynor (Clavlin). , while Will Traynor wanted to end his life. his life. As she spends more time with Will, the two fall in love and learn more about themselves in the process. Of course, it's very emotional, and fans are wondering: Is Me Before You based on a true story?
Although it seems realistic, Me Before You is a work of fiction. It is actually based on the 2012 novel of the same name by Jojo Moyes. The plot is basically the same as in the movie, so Moyes must have got the idea from somewhere. So did the book have any real-life inspiration? It turns out there are a couple. In a 2013 interview with Goodreads, Moyes revealed that she was inspired to write the book by a member of her own family and a story she saw on the news.
"What really led to this was a family member of mine who had a progressive disease," she said. “I was involved in feeding her, taking her out and stuff like that. Me Before You was partly inspired by questions I had in my mind about quality of life. At what point does quality of life become meaningless? At what point does quality of life mean nothing? Next? Do you give someone the right to decide for themselves?" This dilemma echoes Will's struggle in the story as he wants to die because of the impact his disability has on his life.
Another inspiration for the novel very directly inspired Will's character, as he was ultimately written as a man who had been adventurous and athletic before he became disabled and lost his will to live. “There was one new story in particular that inspired it,” Moyes said. "This young England rugby player, about 23 years old, who had been a quadriplegic for several years after a rugby accident, convinced his parents to take him to Dignitas (euthanasia clinic). I was really shocked by this story because I couldn't believe the parents Would bring their own children to this place, I guess I'm pretty judgmental too, the more I read the more I realize these parents are in an impossible situation because this young man expresses determination to achieve at all costs. their own desires, and some people just refuse to adapt.”
Me Before You obviously has some pretty heavy themes, and while it's not based on any one true story, it was inspired by the real pain and plight of disabled people that Moyes encountered in his own life.
Image: Warner Bros. Pictures; Penguin Books
