Me Before You (2016)

Lou Clark’s wardrobe gets more character development than most of the people in Me Before You. She’s all bumblebee tights and loud prints, and the script leans on the outfits to tell you she’s quirky instead of letting her be a whole person. The other problem is that everything around Will, his parents, his family’s actual castle, the ex who’s marrying his old friend, mostly exists to give Lou a growth spurt. Still, Emilia Clarke is so warm and expressive it’s impossible not to root for her. Sam Claflin plays Will dry and prickly, and their sparring in the first half is a genuine pleasure. Charles Dance and Janet McTeer give his parents real weight with very little screen time. It pulled an A CinemaScore and $208.5 million worldwide, while critics stopped at 55% on Rotten Tomatoes. A 5.1 because the leads deserved a script that knew what it wanted to say. $215.31 says you wear the loudest thing in your closet tomorrow and dare anyone to comment.

What works: Emilia Clarke’s warmth and Sam Claflin’s dry wit make their early banter a pleasure, and the parents are well cast.

What doesn’t: Lou is defined by her outfits, everyone else is there only to push her along, and the story’s biggest choice is handled too neatly.

Who it’s for: Fans of the novel and anyone who wants a glossy weepie with two likable leads.