Two people lost in remembered music, half hidden in the shadow of a castle on a moonlit hill, Louisa Clark and William Traynor were from contrasting worlds and would never have met each other if things weren’t the way they were.
Following a road accident, William became paralyzed and his whole world fell apart. A rich Londoner with a very happening life, a very surly William finds himself completely out of place in a life limited to his wheelchair and bed. On the other side of town is Clark, a bubbly middle class, free spirited girl in desperate need of a job. Yes, his family ends up hiring her as his caretaker. That is when she makes a dramatic entrance with her sweet smile and ridiculous clothes into William Traynor’s life.
She is determined to do her job well and cheer him up, but William seems to be broken beyond repair as he goes deeper into his shell, shutting her and everyone else out. But nobody can ignore Louisa’s cheerful personality for long and soon enough she finds a way to connect with William and his sarcastic sense of humor. In between talks of buttered croissants, jam, numerous cups of tea and caring for him through bouts of pneumonia, Louisa learns some truths that shake her. She makes it her purpose to breathe life back into him and make him feel every moment is worth living, despite how dreary it seems.
“I wanted to will something into him. I wanted to give him every bit of life I felt and force him to live.”
The story blooms into an unconventional romance and Louisa puts her heart and soul into the six months she spends caring for William. She did make a difference in his life and he begins to feel a connection with the world once again. He also teaches her to spread her wings, insisting that she could do anything, absolutely anything she wished. William gives a new direction to Louisa and for once in her life, she learns to put herself first.
“I let him know a hurt had been mended in a way that he couldn’t have known, and for that alone there would always be a piece of me indebted to him.”
One might think that the appearance of Louisa could have been a ray of light amidst his pain and it was, but his life was much more complicated than that. “This could be a good life, but it’s not my life,” says William. He doesn’t want to wake up everyday to more pain, exhaustion wishing it was over. Louisa’s persistence, “I would rather be with you — even the you that you seem to think is diminished — than with anyone else in the world,” wasn’t enough and the story takes a different turn altogether…
It is a romantic comedy, a tear-jerker and a cynical story, all wrapped in one. Jojo Moyes the writer of this book turned into movie also happened to write the screenplay of the movie, which makes it more heartening and the passion is not lost. The technicolor backgrounds and fantastic scenery add to the beauty of the movie.
It may be a predictable story, but one that urges you to watch until the end. It is thought provoking and addresses an aspect of suffering that very few can actually comprehend. It also shows how imperfect life is and how when we find that one purpose, we are standing at the beginning of a forked road and the choice to make lies within us.
The ending may find many viewers judgmental, but how you interpret it is entirely up to you.
“Most days all you have are places in your memory that you can go to”
I rate this movie 4/5 stars
I am taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s #MyFriendAlexa
The Literary Affair 
I was always curious to know what is it that makes the book and the movie so much talked about. I have the book but since its romance I have not read it as I am trying to get away all the rom coms. However, this review of the book makes me want to read it asap.
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I haven’t read the book. Let me know how it is after you do 🙂
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Okay, I get it why the movie and book were much talked about. Leha, your review is compelling me to watch it or atleast read the book.
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Do watch it 🙂 It’s worth it
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I read the novel looong back and it still lingers in my mind. Didn’t knew they made a movie. Will definitely watch it! It’s a real good story and your description is what made me relate to the story! So it seems the book version is kept intact as much as possible..
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Thanks so much. Yes, the book and movie are very much similar.
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Wow Leha, this is a beautiful way to review. Until the last paragraph, I thought you are writing fiction. I would definitely try this once.
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Thanks so much Geethica 🙂
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That seems interesting story plot wit romance drama emotions.
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This looks like a nice read, but I have so much in my TBR pile that I’ll have to save it for later. #myepicareads #MyFriendAlexa
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TBR pile is meant to pile up, hehe
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A great way to review and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Wondering if I will enjoy the actually movie as much as your review. Will give it a try though!
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Hey Leha. This is such a crisp and well written review. I usually dont watch romantic movies and the days of reading mills and boons are long gone. But your review is making me want to read it.
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Go ahead and grab the book 🙂
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Hey I had no idea this was a book or a movie. I thought it was a short story until I came towards the end. It was a different style!
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Thanks Sonia
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I don’t usually watch movie adaptations but I’m glad I watched this one. Just like that. Will Traynor is my favourite fictional character and Sam Claflin is just bang on! This story is close to my heart. Of course the movie is a very simplified version. I reread the book after watching the movie {also wrote a fanfiction to change the ending}. The letter part is beautiful ___when Will/Sam says, ‘So, this is it.’, it breaks my heart.
It’s a very well written review.
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Wow, would love to read what you wrote.
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i’ve read the book and watched the movie too, i personally am in favor of his decision of euthanasia, coz we’ve no idea what he’s going through knowing he can never get better and would die slowly. i loved it for its array of roller-coaster emotions that’ll make you cry and laugh at the same time.
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I agree Richa
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Enjoyed reading your review. The book was such a heartbreaking one. And the movie was one of the few that did justice to the book (although I still prefer the book).
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Loved this book but haven’t watched the movie. Very well written review.
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#journeysays after reading your post , I am compelled to see the movie n read the book. What should I do the first ?
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I’d suggest the movie, since I watched the movie 🙂
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I am not a big fan of romance novels but I loved every second of this book and also the movie. The movie was true to the storyline and did justice to the characters. Sam Caflin and Emilia Clarke were truly amazing! Loved the way you wrote the review.
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Yes, they really had the chemistry 🙂
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Your movie review has tempted me to see this one. Thank you for writing and sharing 🙂
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Glad you stopped by
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I have read the book and seen the movie. Can relate completely with your post.
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Thanks Sanjota 🙂
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Your review style was very unique. Thought it to be fiction in the beginning. Your review is quite tempting and compelling me to watch it.
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I am so glad, you should watch it, you won’t be disappointed.
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This review is just so cool ! That makes me find the movie and watch it.
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I have cried a thousand times while reading this book
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The movie had the same effect 😊
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Loved “For the Fierce Reader”. The story has been put across by you in a beautiful way. Makes me want to watch it and read the book!
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Glad you noticed that 😄
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It is a beautiful movie;there is no doubt with regards to that.
It is predictable but the way the emotions take a swing is absolutely delightful.
Was long planning to write a review for this movie but quite happy with the review I just read!
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Thanks so much! I agree, despite the predictability it was great.
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