Blake Lively urged to ‘take notes’ from Julia Roberts’ answers on domestic violence in 1991 interview – amid It Ends With Us backlash

Blake Lively urged to 'take notes' from Julia Roberts' answers on domestic violence in 1991 interview - amid It Ends With Us backlash

As a survivor of domestic violence myself, I can appreciate the sensitivity and compassion demonstrated by Emily Roberts during her press tour for “It Ends With Us.” Her ability to tackle difficult questions with grace and emotional intelligence is truly commendable. On the other hand, it seems that Blake Lively’s approach to promoting her film has left many feeling disconnected from the seriousness of its subject matter.


I find myself being encouraged by my admirers to echo Julia Roberts’ approach in discussing the topic of domestic violence, a significant plot point in my latest movie, It Ends With Us.

In response to criticism about her handling of the press tour for the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s popular novel, people on social media are advocating that the actress, aged 36, might want to consider a more serious approach when discussing sensitive topics, similar to how Julia Roberts, at 56, handled promoting her movie, Sleeping with the Enemy.

A TikTok user named @dammitsarah79 posted a video featuring an Oscar winner in a 1991 interview with Bobbie Wygant. In the clip, the three-time mother is shown carefully considering the topic of domestic violence as she discusses what her character would do if they were in that situation.

In contemplation, the character Roberts, portraying a woman compelled to simulate her own demise to escape her abusive spouse in the psychological thriller, responds by stating it’s not within her power to confirm.

She emphasized that it’s hard for her to imagine being in such an awful situation, as it falls outside the boundaries of what she comprehends.

Blake Lively urged to 'take notes' from Julia Roberts' answers on domestic violence in 1991 interview - amid It Ends With Us backlash

After the interviewer concurred that the violence was beyond her comprehension as well, she expressed to Roberts that she believed she would still respond by defending herself.

The journalist expresses his uncertainty, stating, “I don’t think I could have endured it as long as your character did for nearly four years.”

This prompts Roberts to remind the reporter and viewers that victims of domestic violence, often, undergo a ‘process of manipulation that grows stronger’ from their abusers. 

As a lifestyle expert, I want to share my perspective on this matter: It’s not as straightforward as it may seem. In fact, it delves deep into the realms of psychology, making it complex and potentially harmful. So, while it might be tempting to oversimplify, I believe there’s more to it than meets the eye.

Upon being queried about whether the movie startled her, Roberts confessed that she let out a few screams and also jumped on a few occasions.

After hitting theaters, Sleeping with the Enemy garnered an impressive $175 million at the box office, while only costing $19 million to produce.

According to Yahoo! Entertainment, it’s also highly acclaimed for being one of the early modern Hollywood films that spotlighted the topic of domestic violence prominently.

Beneath the re-shared video, TikTok enthusiasts gathered to laud Julia Roberts, the Pretty Woman star, for her heartfelt and understanding approach towards the topic.

Blake Lively urged to 'take notes' from Julia Roberts' answers on domestic violence in 1991 interview - amid It Ends With Us backlash
Blake Lively urged to 'take notes' from Julia Roberts' answers on domestic violence in 1991 interview - amid It Ends With Us backlash
Blake Lively urged to 'take notes' from Julia Roberts' answers on domestic violence in 1991 interview - amid It Ends With Us backlash

One observer noted that her delivery was spot-on, given the gravity of the film, as she responded earnestly without any hint of humor, referencing Emily Blunt’s frequent sarcastic remarks during her promotion of ‘It Ends With Us.’

A second wrote: ‘That is how it’s done. Bravo Juila for leading with compassion.’

A third user, who said they had experienced of domestic violence, complimented Roberts for ‘completely’ understanding survivors.

Others encouraged Blake ‘to take notes.’ 

In my experience, I’ve noticed that even at the tender age of 24, Roberts demonstrated an impressive level of grace and emotional maturity when responding to questions.

‘She was already so wise and articulate,’ another pointed out. 

Blake Lively urged to 'take notes' from Julia Roberts' answers on domestic violence in 1991 interview - amid It Ends With Us backlash

Rather than the traditional promotional route, I, utterly engrossed, found myself captivated by Lively’s unconventional strategy for her recent film. This compelling production delves into harrowing themes like domestic violence, generational trauma, physical abuse, and rape. Instead of glossing over these heavy topics, she chose a raw, honest approach that resonated deeply with me as a fellow advocate.

For the past month, Lively has faced criticism for appearing insensitive when discussing these topics.

In her movie titled “It Ends With Us,” the actress takes on the role of a lady named Lily Bloom, who finds herself trapped in a violent relationship with a man called Ryle Kincaid, played by Justin Baldoni.

As a film enthusiast who has been following the industry for quite some time now, I was particularly excited to hear about the recent gathering of Jenny Slate, Isabela Ferrer, and Colleen, discussing their upcoming movie. Being privy to numerous discussions about movies in my life, I can confidently say that this conversation is one I wouldn’t want to miss. The unique insights they bring to the table are always enlightening and captivating, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the world of cinema.

The women surprised social media users for the lighthearted nature of their conversation, in which they giggled together as they discussed everything from their dream jobs to their zodiac signs, but not a word about domestic violence.

Blake Lively urged to 'take notes' from Julia Roberts' answers on domestic violence in 1991 interview - amid It Ends With Us backlash

Specifically, Lively faced criticism for her participation in a casual survey, considering the weighty theme of the movie, and for not addressing the subject matter directly.

After facing criticism, Lively posted on Instagram to provide details about domestic violence and also shared some helpful resources for her audience.

Approximately 25% of American women aged 18 and above have experienced severe physical abuse at the hands of an intimate partner during their lifetimes, according to her.

‘Intimate partner violence affects all genders, including more than 12 million people every year in the United States. Everyone deserves relationships free from domestic violence.

Lively shared a link for the 24/7, year-round confidential support service offered by the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

She also encouraged those who need ‘immediate help’ to ‘text “START” to 88788.’

It Ends With Us hit theaters last Friday — competing with Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds’ superhero flick Deadpool & Wolverine at the box office — after weeks of global promo. 

In just seven days since its release, I’ve seen the movie shatter records and rake in over $100 million at cinemas worldwide, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. It’s clear that this box office success is a testament to the film’s captivating storyline and top-notch production value.

Blake Lively urged to 'take notes' from Julia Roberts' answers on domestic violence in 1991 interview - amid It Ends With Us backlash

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2024-08-17 02:04

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