Abhiroop Das
Directed by Roger Kumble, Prime Video’s ‘Love Me Love Me’ is a romance drama movie that follows June on a journey from Britain to Italy. After the tragic death of her brother, June wants to have a fresh start in the city of Milan. However, just when she is about to make her first friends at St. Mary’s International, her path crosses with James Hunter’s. Infectiously charming but just as dangerous, James sweeps her into a life she is not prepared for, bickering with her along the way.
However, when these petty fights give way to a romantic connection, June finds herself in a precarious position. In reality, James’ best friend, Will, is also in love with her, and if there’s anyone most affected by this love triangle, it is James himself. By looking into his and other characters’ complicated inner lives, we learn just how full of challenges teenage life can be.
Love Me Love Me is Based on a Fictional Book Series That Tackles the Reality of Adolescent Life
‘Love Me Love Me’ is a fictional story written by Stefania S. for her four-book novel series of the same name. Specifically, the movie adapts book 1 of the series, titled ‘Magnetic Hearts,’ with writers Veronica Galli and Serena Tateo taking charge of the screenplay. For Stefania, who published the entire series on Wattpad, the real joy of writing is in reinventing the romance genre with new perspectives. In a conversation with Open, she explained that writing on Wattpad is like going to the gym, and that she has chosen to keep the books accessible to all so that fans who cannot afford print fiction can still enjoy her work. When asked about her inspirations, Stefania recalled growing up on the classics, such as Verga, Pirandello, Calvino, and her favourite writer, Susanna Tamaro.
While many of Stefania’s favorite writers may have had an impact on her writing style, Stefania names shows such as ‘Skins’ as the most prominent influence on her works. When writing ‘Love Me Love Me,’ she was driven by the idea of recreating reality in all of its ups and downs, especially when it comes to adolescence. This is also why the book features 13 characters who speak in first-person, allowing Stefania to address and adequately flesh out a range of sensitive and relevant subjects, from eating disorders to self-harm. However, the central premise of the series is still based on fiction, with the writer imagining a diverse cast of characters to express her thoughts in and about life.
James Hunter Was Invented From Scratch by Writer Stefania S.
Just as the story of ‘Love Me Love Me’ is invented, the character of James Hunter also draws from fiction. The most unique facet about him is his prodigious talent when it comes to MMA, and while it is possible that Stefania referenced real-life amateur martial artists for James, he is still not based on any one person. When penning his character, Stefania primarily intended to explore toxic masculinity and its subtler aftereffects. In her interview with Open, she mentioned that boys are often caged by expectations of being strong, tough, and aggressive, which over time can lead to a physical, as well as mental toll. To that end, she frames James’ journey as one of getting out of the box and finding himself.
In a way, James’ identity as an MMA fighter can be interpreted as a metaphor for the box mentioned by Stefania. This also explains her focus on James’ dynamic with Austin, as well as his troubling relationship with steroid abuse. These are all subjects with deep real-life relevance, and by approaching them with a high level of sensitivity, Stefania creates a safe and informative space for her readers. In that vein, another important fact about James is that he is bisexual. While in the movie this facet is completely omitted, in the book it adds to James’ layers as a character, revealing his interaction with his own fragmented reality.
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