I have to admit that despite seeing a few trailers my motivation to see this film was singular, to see the beautiful Emilia Clark, “Mother of Dragons” of “Game of Thrones” fame, in a new and utterly different role. Hair transformed to brunette, wardrobe out of Sally Field’s closet in “Hello, My Name is Doris” and all. I am glad that I did. It showed clearly that Clark has range and can be comedic and charming and much more.
Set in the English countryside the story opens with a tragic early morning freak accident which leaves one of the central characters paralyzed from the neck down. Will Traynor, played by Sam Claflin was one of the most eligible bachelors in England. Wealthy, smart, successful and super athletic and daring, his life is all but over in the aftermath.
Louisa Clark (no kidding) is played by Emilia Clark. She’s a small town girl from a big, country family who are having trouble making ends meet. She loses her simple job after six years at a village cafe and joins her Dad among the unemployed. The lovable Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey’s Mister Bates) ably handles that role throughout.
Louisa answers an ad for a caretaker at the spectacular home of the wealthy Trainor family and despite no credentials lands the job looking after the wheelchair ridden Will. Despite his pre tragedy charm and wit, Will is not a very nice guy and is near impossible to engage.
The film naturally moves into tearjerker mode and even yours truly shed a few. Flashbacks to “Love Story” and the more recent “The Intouchables” were many.
But the attraction here for me is Ms. Clark. She is captivating in so many ways. Her expressions are fantastic and she can move you with a twinkle of her eye or a twitching of an eyebrow. She is at times funny, clumsy and lovable.
An added bonus is a brief appearance as a wedding guest of the wonderful Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous). She pretty much plays her usual salty tongued independent woman and is an unexpected and fun addition.
I enjoyed this film very much. It won’t be getting any notice I suspect come Oscar nomination time, but if for nothing else it may well launch Emilia Clark beyond being the infamous Daenerys Targaryen into still newer and different roles. She certainly shows much promise.
