It Ends With Us Can’t Quite Turn Trauma into Drama

As a woman who has had her fair share of heartaches and heartbreaks, I must say that “It Ends With Us” left me feeling more enlightened than emotionally moved. The story was powerful in its portrayal of domestic abuse, but it lacked the depth and complexity that would have truly drawn me into the characters’ lives.

A movie or novel can tackle heavy, tear-jerking topics like domestic abuse, yet somehow manage to elicit unintended chuckles or sighs of frustration. For instance, the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s acclaimed novel, “It Ends With Us,” aims to touch all the right emotional chords. As you might know, this story is based on a harsh reality that many people prefer not to acknowledge – domestic abuse, which unfortunately is more common than we care to admit, with Hoover drawing inspiration from her own mother’s experiences. Movies like “It Ends With Us” are crucial because they provide a platform for emotional release, serving as a sanctuary where viewers can let it all out. This genre, often referred to as the “woman’s film,” has been around since the 1930s and beyond, films such as “Stella Dallas” (1937) by King Vidor or both versions of “Imitation of Life,” filmed first in 1934 by John Stahl and later in 1959 by Douglas Sirk. These movies were popular back then because they offered a safe space for emotional expression, allowing women, as well as men, to weep it all out. And isn’t the cinema, with its dark surroundings, an ideal location for that?

Instead of “But It Ends With Us—directed by Justin Baldoni, who also co-stars—lacks the power to stir tears, not even softly or quietly,”, This movie titled “It Ends With Us,” directed and featuring Justin Baldoni, fails to evoke deep emotions or bring forth tears, even in a subtle manner. Blake Lively portrays Lily Bloom, a creative young woman with a vibrant spirit and a bohemian fashion sense. She resides in Boston, on the verge of opening her long-cherished flower shop. This is a time of transformation for her; her father has recently passed away, leaving her confused about her emotions. As we delve deeper into her past, we realize why—her father was an abuser. Fresh from her father’s funeral in Maine, she seeks solace on a Boston rooftop with a picturesque view. However, she doesn’t actually reside in the building. When a charming neurosurgeon, who happens to be a resident, intrudes onto that rooftop, it feels like her life is about to take an unexpected turn.

As a seasoned viewer of romantic dramas and a connoisseur of character analysis, I must say that Ryle Kincaid, portrayed by the talented Baldoni, is a character worth delving into. His rugged good looks, reminiscent of a modern-day James Dean, are undeniably captivating, but it’s his complex personality that sets him apart.

After a brief period, Lily believes that the matter has been resolved. However, unexpectedly, she receives the keys to her new store and proceeds to renovate it. On the same day, she hires an assistant and makes a new friend, Allysa, who coincidentally drops by. The charming Jenny Slate portrays Allysa, adding depth to the movie whenever she appears. Allysa expresses interest in working there, and impulsively, Lily offers her a job. Quickly, they form a strong bond. Interestingly enough, it is revealed that semi-scary Dr. McDreamy, also known as Ryle, is Allysa’s sibling. What are the chances?

Despite some hints from Allysa about Ryle’s past romantic entanglements, he and Lily develop feelings for each other. Although Ryle has a reputation as a ladies’ man, he expresses his intentions of pursuing a genuine relationship with Lily. Lily takes him up on it, but then an old flame from her youth, Atlas Corrigan (played by Brandon Sklenar), reappears. He is now a successful restaurant owner in Boston and there seems to still be a connection between them when Lily sees him. However, Lily has already gained Ryle’s trust and decides to continue with their relationship.

Up to now, “It Ends With Us” might seem like a typical, yet slightly intense romantic drama with its passionate love scenes and moments of romantic confusion. However, if you’ve read the book, you’ll understand that it takes an unexpected turn. The protagonist, Lily, finds herself in a situation of domestic abuse, and this isn’t signaled by loud alarms or obvious warning signs. In fact, when Lily gets hurt for the first time, resulting in a bruised eye that she tries to cover up with makeup, the incident is portrayed as an accident caused during a struggle to remove a burnt frittata from the oven. It could happen to anyone. The second instance is more evident, but the third leaves no room for doubt – it’s a violent act. Yet, you find yourself seeing Ryle, as Lily does, as potentially fixable. He’s tormented; his internal struggles are causing him to behave inappropriately. In this aspect, the movie is realistic and impactful: for many women who experience domestic abuse, you never know how severe it will become until it reaches a critical point.

Despite all the other impressive performances by Lively in various films, her character in “It Ends With Us” falls short of what the movie promises. In movies such as “The Shallows” and “The Town”, she delivered compelling performances that stood out. However, in this film, her portrayal of Lily seems flat and unengaging. The male characters, despite their flaws and even their violent tendencies, are more intriguing than Lily. While this doesn’t justify the violence, it does make them more captivating from a dramatic perspective. Lively’s Lily appears as a mirror for the men’s shortcomings rather than a fully fleshed-out character, which is not the same as being a genuine person. By the end of the movie, Lily still feels like an enigma—it’s the male characters who seem more vibrant and real, even if one of them could be dangerous.

The issue could be that “It Ends With Us” primarily focuses on its theme without delving deeper or providing emotional depth. Characters serve to illustrate the insidious nature of domestic violence and its camouflage in denial among victims. While it’s commendable to address such a serious topic, the movie might fall short in subtly conveying emotions rather than just delivering messages.

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2024-08-07 19:06