It Ends With Us review: Blake Lively shines in controversial Colleen Hoover adaptation

As a seasoned gamer and movie enthusiast who has seen more than his fair share of romantic dramas, I must say that “It Ends With Us” is a rollercoaster ride of emotions that manages to balance the delicate topic of domestic abuse with the sweetness of a budding romance.

Despite inheriting certain inescapable elements from its original source, “It Ends With Us” manages to compensate for this through clever adjustments and the addition of a radiant performance by Blake Lively.

Based on the hugely popular and widely debated novel by Colleen Hoover, this movie is undoubtedly one of the most eagerly awaited films of the year. With such anticipation, however, there’s also a great deal of expectation and intense examination, not just from fans but also from critics.

By tackling a delicate issue like domestic violence within the framework of a romantic narrative, it was designed from the outset to spark dialogue – and that’s a positive aspect.

The adaptation of “It Ends With Us” is generally quite pleasing for fans, but it’s important to note that it’s not without its imperfections.

The film narrates the journey of Lily Bloom (portrayed by Lively), who realizes her aspirations by establishing a florist business in Boston.

At roughly the same period, Lily unexpectedly crosses paths with an appealing neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid (portrayed by Justin Baldoni and also the film’s director). However, their connection is short-lived following a passionate rendezvous on an abandoned rooftop. The reason for their separation lies in their contrasting perspectives towards relationships; he seeks a casual one-night stand, while she embodies the kind of woman who deserves to be introduced to your family.

After some time apart, the duo reunites when they learn that Alyssa (Jenny Slate) has been the sole worker at Lily’s business for a while. As their lives start to overlap more and more, they eventually marry, but as emotions intensify, a different aspect of Ryle emerges.

Although Lily had sworn not to emulate her mother or endure mistreatment from a spouse, she found herself repeating the same pattern unknowingly until the situation became so alarming that she couldn’t ignore it anymore.

Simultaneously, Lily reconnects with her initial romantic interest, Atlas Corrigan (played by Brandon Sklenar), who runs a thriving eatery in Boston. During the most challenging period of her life, he proves to be a crucial source of emotional solace for her.

One approach for paraphrasing could be: The initial major hurdle encountered in this adaptation was skillfully blending the sentimental, popular tone of the narrative with the deeply sensitive subject matter it explores.

After all, It Ends With Us is not a romantic fairytale, but a story about domestic abuse.

Mixing them up could be risky yet insightful – witnessing a sweet romance transform into a horror in an instant resembles the chilling splash of cold water that awakens those who overlook Ryle’s obvious warning signs while idealizing romance.

In this adaptation, Baldoni plays with our assumptions about Lily’s character. She openly declares herself as potentially an “unreliable narrator” at the outset, and the movie skillfully uses this aspect by delving into how love (and manipulation) can make a victim forget, forgive, and even blame themselves.

Criticizing Lily’s decisions overlooks Hoover’s most significant impact on its readers (and now viewers): the notion that casting blame upon victims of abuse is both unjust and uninformed. This message, though somewhat diluted in the movie (perhaps due to abridging Lily’s mother’s personal experience and its comparison with Lily), still resonates clearly.

A more warranted criticism can (and should) be expressed about Ryle, a character whose controversial redemption arc is thankfully less present in the movie than in the book.

In this adaptation, Blake Lively, both the lead character and producer, shines brilliantly. She masterfully dons outrageously lavish ensembles and delivers an impressive portrayal of Lily, leaving a significant impact on the audience.

While continuing to bask in the success of Deadpool & Wolverine, in which she portrayed Lady Deadpool alongside her husband Ryan Reynolds, Lively is eagerly anticipating another major triumph. This time, she hopes to achieve it through a combination of emotional release, floral imagery, and somber songs from Taylor Swift’s ‘My Tears Ricochet’ and Birdy’s ‘Skinny Love’.

Working alongside her, Baldoni delivers a flawless portrayal of a man who is both fatally attractive and troubled by inner turmoil. On the other hand, Sklenar attempts to make the most of his role, as his character’s backstory in the film deviates significantly from Atlas’.

It’s regrettable that some alterations in this adaptation don’t seem logical (Why isn’t Lily’s apartment shown? Where are her friends?). Yet, others introduce a fresh perspective (the age gap being one of them), and they all manage to contribute effectively to the overall screen portrayal.

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of literature, I can wholeheartedly say that setting expectations appropriately is crucial, particularly for those who haven’t delved into a given book before. Based on my own experience, I have found that unmet expectations can sometimes lead to disappointment or frustration when diving into a story. So, it’s essential to provide an accurate portrayal of the content, style, and themes in the book to help readers prepare themselves for what lies ahead.

Instead of conducting a thorough academic analysis on domestic violence (even though initiating discussions about it, regardless of the format, is significant), this piece leans towards a heart-wrenching dramatic narrative similar to popular romantic novels on BookTok and the emotional style of Nicholas Sparks’ works.

Some spectators may yearn for “It Ends With Us” to offer more depth, but unfortunately, the film is constrained by its source material. Regardless of whether it’s for the best or worst.

It Ends With Us is released in cinemas on August 9.

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2024-08-07 17:49