MovieChat Forums > Me Before You (2016) Discussion > Two things which really bothered me

Two things which really bothered me

posted 8 years ago by atalanta88
57 replies | jump to latest

1. She was "poor" and needed to support her family, yet her wardrobe must have cost a fortune. She didn't make her own clothing, and cute dresses and shoes are not cheap. And no those did not look like something from the 2nd hand shop.

2. Not sure why they had to make her boyfriend Patrick so loathsome. I hate when movies do this. You can fall out of love with m a non-loathsome character just as well. They were together 7 years and I couldn't find a single reason why.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

That bothered me too.the shoes are all from the designer irregular choice and even on ebay go for 60 to 80 quid. Store bought they can go up to 300 quid and she had dozens of pairs.

[–] axl7 8 years ago

She liked fashion, wanted to study fashion, I think it makes sense to suppose she made some of her outfits herself...to me almost everything looked 2nd hand btw... I didn't think much of her wardrobe really

"Please, if you are trying to convert me, this isn't a good time"

[–] Naeblis5 8 years ago

Her clothes were mostly vintage/second hand.

And her family was kind of poor but they weren't 'playing for a heroin addiction poor' they could afford some luxuries.

[–] Naeblis5 8 years ago

*paying not playing.

I can't see how to edit from my phone and my autocorrect is crap.

Sorry folks!

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

I can tell you now that living in the UK is not the same as the US. Mortgages or rent are expensive and the job she had was in a cafe on minimum wage. On that you can barely afford to do rent and feed yourself. There would be no money left for 30 to 40 pairs of irregular choice shoes which at 60 to 600 quid a pair (they were all new line pairs too) was completely stupid.

[–] Naeblis5 8 years ago

But Lou wasn't paying mortgage or rent was she?

Her parents seemed to own the house outright, and though some of her money went to supporting them, I don't think she paid for food either.

I am strictly referring to her vintage clothes not her shoes though.

Shoe wise I do agree that they seemed a touch too pricey, I suppose Patrick could have just bought her a tonne?

But yes I did find the shoes a touch implausible.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

She was paying for the family to live so I'd assume that included bills which covers mortgage.
The shoes actually really bugged me as it seemed like the film was being sponsored by irregular choice, so many close ups of them. Anyone whose into slightly kooky shoes would know just how expensive they are. Even second hand ones on ebay go for a lot and those ones were from the new range. Was a bad choice.

[–] atalanta88 8 years ago

I'd like to know why you think we don't have high mortgages/rent in the US. So many people being priced out of communities these days.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

Because I've looked at house prices and rent in the US and its much less. It's coz there's more land.
I'm not suggesting the whole of the UK is more expensive but where I live which is close to London it's much steeper. Average age to buy in the UK now is 34

[–] atalanta88 8 years ago

Not really a fair comparison, they are giving away free land in Kansas, sure, but they are doing that cause no one wants to live there. Check out rent and house prices in areas where people do live. For example I live in the Bay Area, we don't have land.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

It's about the same but the properties where you are (for around the same price) are much larger properties (and nicer.) The average 3 bed (more like 2 1/2) one bathroom is just under 400k (£) and that's in a crappy area. A three bed where my parents live would be 5 to 600k.
Go up to Scotland though you can get a 6 bed for 270k but all the money is in the southern areas.

[–] atalanta88 8 years ago

I'm not sure where you are coming up with these numbers, but for 3 bedroom house, 400k pounds would buy you an empty shell of a house reeking of cat piss in a not so great neighborhood and you'd have to gut and redo the whole thing to even attempt to live in it (I know I visited some of these). Anything livable, in a not so great neighborhood you're looking at around 550K. For a decent neighborhood 700K for somewhere where you want to raise children (Our schools are based on where we live, its *beep* up) you're gonna have to go over a million.

All the prices are in pounds.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

I looked on right move and the places were nice. (Or looked nice) and were in dollars. Some were 600. Not impossible.

[–] atalanta88 8 years ago

I was talking about houses in the Bay Area.

[–] atalanta88 8 years ago

I'm not trying to say housing in the UK is not expensive, I know it is, but I don't think the situation is worse or better than our populous areas. And if most people can buy a house at 34, I think that's better rate than here.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

That's also not forgetting food, clothing, and bills like gas/electric are a lot cheaper in the US.

[–] axl7 8 years ago

Lol, I think everyone is making too much fuss over the shoes , when I was young, I lived in the UK for a while, I was ( nearly ) on a minum wage and paid rent ( room only in London would cost like a flat in a small town ), food, travel costs...and still I managed to buy some nice shoes a couple of times...I had no social life, no car, no other expences... Lou lives at home, she gives the family money, but she has s boyfriend who can pay for both of them when they go out...surely she can keep something for herself...
Really, I don't think it's a big deal if the movie showed some nice shoes , besides the average viewer would not look at them twice, or wonder if they are "irregular choice" or other brands...

"Please, if you are trying to convert me, this isn't a good time"

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

How long ago lol. Prices have tripled in London in just a few years.
My partner lived near arsenal football ground, was on 37k rented and could barely afford to go out.
Living off shift money is extremely hard.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

How long ago lol. Prices have tripled in London in just a few years. Not to mention how expensive travel in London is.
My partner lived near arsenal football ground, was on 37k rented and could barely afford to go out.
Living off shift money is extremely hard.

[–] axl7 8 years ago

Ages ago. I'm old. Sigh... :(
Anyway my wage at the time would go 60% on rent ( a room! Not a flat! ) I was eating cheap unhealthy food, I would never go out, but I had to buy shoes , I can't wear cheap shoes because I get blisters wearing them, so I would buy good quality shoes on sale...
I am sure no one is interested in my feet lol....so let's just say that someone like Lou who was not paying rent would be able to buy some shoes without starving, or Patrick would buy them for her if that makes the film more believable...it's not a big deal imo. :-)
Anyway, in the book she says she wears second hand charity shop shoes and clothes...

"Please, if you are trying to convert me, this isn't a good time"

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

I've not read the book. In the film she's wearing brand new irregular choice shoes. Completely unaffordable. In scene she has almost the entire summer collection, that's a lot of shoes that no guy is gonna fork out for.
Let's just say things have changed. My oh brothers flats gone up by 100k in 2 years. Average rent in London is just under a grand a month (some are a grand a week). My partner was paying for just a room and it was 700 quid a month (2 years ago) It's insane and a lot of people are being forced out. Even places like Brixton are horrendously expensive these days.

[–] exatera 8 years ago

I think you are a little too hung up on these shoes. Here in the US I've never heard of that brand, but regardless - those shoes look like something no normal (or stylish, for that matter) woman would wear. As I said below, her entire wardrobe looked very flea market to me.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

That's a question of taste really isn't it. I'm guessing you wouldn't like Westwood either. Doesn't stop her being a fashion icon..
Just because you've never heard of them doesn't make them irrelevant just because (God forbid) they aren't famous in the USA.

[–] exatera 8 years ago

No, I don't care about that - I am saying it doesn't necessarily detract from the movie.

Her overactive facial muscles, on the other hand - now, THAT really bothered me.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

That's where we differ.

[–] mangokittty 8 years ago

Idk about that. My boyfriend buys me shoes all the time he's bought me at least 3 pairs that are $100+ and a pair of boots that are $400+ and he doesn't make a *beep* ton of money. If you're with someone who loves you and wants to spoil you it's not unreasonable.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

Good for lol. I prefer to buy my own shoes etc I don't need my partner to buy them for me and he wouldn't want to go out with a sponger. I'd much rather he saved for our future than to waste money on frivolities.
Neither would i expect that character to waste money unnecessarily.
Each to their own ;)

[–] mangokittty 8 years ago

My man does that at the same time. Just because your man doesn't spoil you doesn't mean you need to put down anyone whose does. The term sponger is ridiculous. In a healthy relationship both parties contribute. Not for each their own.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

As I say I don't need him to, nor would I expect him to. Im not a kid i dont need him to "spoil me" (especially if hes not got much money in the 1st place) WE save for our futures and our future kids futures.
Why would I want him to waste his money buying me shoes when I can buy them myself? If you think I'm putting you down, I'm not but for you to brag about your partner buying you these things just makes you sound like a sponger, and yes I agree in a healthy relationship both parties contribute,but from what it sounds like he pays for frivolities as well as the bills etc. If this isn't true I apologise but that is how you've portrayed it.

[–] mangokittty 8 years ago

My boyfriend would rather me stay home and have a privileged life. I don't just sponge off of him. I clean, cook, do laundry, support and help him with what he needs. Every girlfriend he has ever had he has wanted to live without worry and stress. There's nothing wrong with that. That's the way you made it seem. We are also saving for our future, but that's why he works so hard. He likes money. He likes the finer things and to have things taken care of. He likes that we're both not stressed out and I brighten his mood.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

A life where he earns very little and you do nothing....
Youre a sponger love.
Let me tell you there is nothing better than getting yourself educated and into a good job where you earn your own money and buy your own things.
What are you gonna do if he ditches you huh? Sounds extremely controlling to me.

[–] 8 years ago

[deleted]

[–] axl7 8 years ago

A life where he earns very little and you do nothing....
Youre a sponger love.
Let me tell you there is nothing better than getting yourself educated and into a good job where you earn your own money and buy your own things.
What are you gonna do if he ditches you huh? Sounds extremely controlling to me.

Ehm...Sounds a bit patronizing to me.
Every couple has its dynamic of give and take and it's personal

"Please, if you are trying to convert me, this isn't a good time"

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

It was meant to sound patronising.

[–] mangokittty 8 years ago

I don't want to work, and he doesn't want me to if I don't want to. He has offered to put me through school one day should I ever want to, but as of right now I don't wish that for myself. I don't sponge I work hard at home to make him have what time he has off stress free and spoiled as well. Just because you're all "oh I'm an empowered woman I don't need a man to take care of me" doesn't mean someone else is wrong for being taken care of. He doesn't make extremey little he just doesn't make as much as he wants to.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

Empowered? No love I just live in the 21st century.
I just hope for your sake he doesn't ditch you like the other girlfriends and you end up on the street.
Never rely on another person for handouts.

[–] AlexSefton 8 years ago

Calm down, ladies.

To be fair, Lauren, you were the aggressor in this thread. If you truly genuinely only care about mangokittty's well being, there is absolutely no need to call her a sponger. Plus, you don't really know her in real life. Please try not to be too judgemental.

Relationships like that can and have worked out. There's nothing wrong with women working in the house, if that's what she wants to. Just as there's nothing wrong with women getting higher education and higher paying jobs than men.

She is taking a risk in that relationship, yes. All relationships come with a risk one way or another. You have no more right than her to judge her based on the nature of their relationship.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

I care about people pulling their weight and contributing to society. She's a sponger and if he ditches her lazy arse she will undoubtedly continue to sponge, only the next time it'll be from the rest of society. They are basically oxegen wasters.
I have zero risk in my relationship as it's 50/50. We do everything equally as it should be. This isn't the 1950s.

[–] AlexSefton 8 years ago

You're being too judgemental. She does work at home. That's not less contributing than going to an office. You don't know how hard she works. Maybe it's a large house, or her partner has children too. That takes a lot of work. If he dumps her, she might not go to another man at all. She might try and survive on her own. Who can tell. Besides, they both agreed to have that arrangement. That's not sponging.

I have zero risk in my relationship as it's 50/50.

I want you to understand that no one is judging your relationship. However, every commitment is a risk. You at least invest your time and emotion into your relationship.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

working at home isn't working, it's cleaning which you do together after you've finished work.
Imo it's sponging. She stated herself I don't want to work. She's happy taking little treats of her owner (whoops I mean partner).
nope no risk. Not like not owning a thing or having no money of my own and being dumped on the street. I work for my own money as I'm a 21st century woman. sorry but you won't change my mind on this.

[–] AlexSefton 8 years ago

That's fine that you won't change your mind about the risk part.

But I imagine she does more than just cleaning. Cooking, ironing, knitting, groceries, babysitting, and maybe a lot more. You may earn more money than she does, but there's no way to tell which one of you actually put more effort or spend more energy everyday. So, I don't think it's fair for you to say she's a sponger.

You can keep on calling her a sponger. But to me, you're wrong. We'll agree to disagree.

This applies to all women out there who choose stay at home and be housewives. You're not less of a contributing member of society than working women, as long as you actually do work around the house and not just sit around doing nothing.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

She has no kids or she'd have pumped up pretty quickly about it.....
cooking is an everyday task, knitting??? does she also have a house of dwarfs to care for after their busy day down the mine??

I work and do all of the above (not the knitting as I'm not a disney character and find most reputable stores stock woolen garments)

I have no problem with women looking after their kids, but when it comes to people adamantly stating they have no interest in working or improving themselves (like this scrounger) I will tell them I find it disgusting. my country have access to doctors etc via national insurance yet people who scrounge use it. why should they when they are contributing zero to society.....

I won't change my mind on the risk, or the fact that that poster and her ilk are spongers.....have a good day, keep on knitting (bizarre)

[–] [email protected] 8 years ago

I won't change my mind on the risk, or the fact that that poster and her ilk are spongers

And I won't change my mind on the fact that you are the sort of self-righteous jackwagon that gives feminism a bad name.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

Good good. There's some irony there, totally lost on you I'd imagine.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

Good good. There's some irony there, totally lost on you I'd imagine.
I'd look up the word jackwagon chump...

[–] AlexSefton 8 years ago

Hope this short video can enlighten your mind:

https://www.facebook.com/AppreciateENG/videos/1591460114487128/

[–] atalanta88 8 years ago

Then throw education and health care into the mix and we've won the "more expensive" game by far.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

Not necessarily actually and not for long. I actually looked up the bay area and San Francisco and it's the second most expensive place to live in the usa. The 2nd most expensive place to live in the UK is Westminster. I'd pretty much say it's not even comparable.

http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-for-sale/find.html?locationIdentifier=REGION%5E87539&numberOfPropertiesPerPage=24&radius=0.0&sortType=1&index=0&viewType=LIST&areaSizeUnit=sqft&currencyCode=GBP

Remember we don't get health care for free, we still have to pay and education after school is insane. I paid 21k for my degree and the fees are going up.

[–] atalanta88 8 years ago

oooh if we're gonna start playing the game area to area try living in Atherton. https://www.redfin.com/city/820/CA/Atherton

Yeah, how much do you pay to see the Dr. these days? I went to the Dr once in the UK and din't pay anything. I have a $715 bill to pay today, and the Dr said there is nothing they can do.

And that's roughly the amount you pay for one year of University here some can be cheaper (13000 pounds) if you go to state school, mine was around 27K (pounds) per year.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

If you saw the doctor in the UK you've had health insurance covered in your holiday, otherwise you owe the nhs money lol.
I agree your health care is appalling though and I'm glad I live in the UK and not there.
Unis are pretty much the same. It's more for places like Oxford or Cambridge but with grants being fazed out its becoming less affordable sadly.

[–] ashley_fraikin 8 years ago

Try living in CT, we have the highest taxes in the US, so many people I know are leaving and moving down south because it's cheaper to live. You can work 2 full time career jobs and still just barely scrape by, you never get ahead. We pay $1000 a month for a 1 bedroom and my friend is paying off an $80,000 loan for uconn.

[–] laurendorward-990-190608 8 years ago

It's like that in London and the south east and I'm in roughly the same amount of debt. It's quite similar tbh.

[–] exatera 8 years ago

I live in Brooklyn. You wouldn't even be able to find a studio in Brooklyn for $1k. 

I won't even mention the average rents in Manhattan.

[–] harveythepooka 8 years ago

What got me is that she has terrible fashion sense and yet wanted to study fashion? Waste of time and money.

[–] exatera 8 years ago

It's not like she was well-dressed. 

And clothing stores like H&M and NY&Co are very cheap. You can have an extensive wardrobe from there for very little money. In fact, you can be a lot more stylish if you shop there. Her clothing all looked very flea market to me.

[–] 8 years ago

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[–] leiastarkiller 8 years ago

I hate when movies make the initial boyfriend/girlfriend comically awful. Its an obvious attempt to make the main characters seem not so terrible for falling in love. I'd rather her have just been single from the beginning instead of trying to get us to hate her boyfriend.