Level: Adult
Recommended Age: 18+
Genres: Drama
Tags: British, Family, Mental illness, Romance, Sisters
Mature Content:

  - Mature language: Some swearing and F bombs, along with discussions of suicide.

  - Mature sexuality: Some kissing and brief descriptions of sex.

  - Mature violence: allusions to suicide.

Louisa Clarke has always been content with her small town life, being with family, working in a café, and thrift shopping to find all the strange concoctions in her wardrobe. But this all changes when Lou is fired from her job and has to scramble to find something to help her parents pay the bills. When a new job comes along, it’s nothing like what she expects and forces herself to view herself and her life from a whole new perspective.

“I will never, ever regret the things I’ve done. Because most days, all you have are places in your memory that you can go to.”

Review:

Lou is a fun character, even if she hasn’t traveled anywhere. She’s quirky and upbeat, and I love her crazy wardrobe. She’s so different from Will and his family. They lead completely opposite lives, and it’s really interesting to see those two worlds come together. Lou has to step up and take responsibility, while Will is forced to give up all of his independence because of his health problems. Will is desperate to seize control of his life, in any way he can, even if the people in his life struggle to accept that.

The plot is well structured, and while it may be a bit slow it’s never boring. It’s a deeply introspective look on people and their behavior. Will has already experienced his journey, and now he helps Louisa discover her own. It’s a sweet story of unlikely companions, last chances, and what it means to truly live. It is ultimately a romantic tragedy, but it’s also very hopeful.

Lou has felt like she only belongs in her small circle she’s created for herself. Will has always felt like he belonged in motion, preferably while jumping out of airplanes and skiing the Alps. Lou has limited herself but not taking any risks, while Will is physically limited after a terrible accident puts him in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. They have such a fascinating dynamic, and it unearths an unexpected humor between them. I also loved Lou’s family. They provide so much comedy and relatability in a situation most people wouldn’t dream of being in.

The movie, while well done, focuses more on the romance and less on the reflective nature of this story. What is the point of living if you feel like you’re not truly alive? How can we live our lives to the fullest, and what are we willing to risk for it? For anyone feeling contemplative, or feeling like they’re in the quiet before the storm, this is a thoughtful read for a peaceful afternoon.

“You only get one life. It’s actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.”