Movies

The Real Problem With the Costumes in It Ends With Us

BBG News

As a movie buff with over three decades of watching films under my belt, I can confidently say that the costuming in “It Ends With Us” is a fashionable catastrophe. The outfits are like a chaotic clown car crashed into a thrift store, and poor Blake Lively’s character, Lily Bloom, is stuck wearing the wreckage.

Adapting the novel “It Ends With Us” into a film was bound to be challenging due to its heavy subject matter. The movie, closely following Colleen Hoover’s bestselling book of the same name, is essentially a dramatic portrayal of an abusive relationship. Hoover herself has been open about the dark themes in her work, sharing that her inspiration stemmed from her mother leaving an abusive partner. Since its publication in 2016, there have been numerous discussions about how the novel handles and portrays trauma. In essence, “It Ends With Us” is not a light-hearted romance; instead, it’s a film that delves into a somber and grave topic.

The costumes used in the film are inconsistent and confusing, blending elements of workwear, glitter, and bohemian fantasy in a way that doesn’t suit the storyline. Instead, they create a startling distraction. For instance, the protagonist, Lily Bloom (played by Blake Lively), who is a florist from Boston, wears outfits that seem incongruous with her character—from sequined evening gowns layered over oversized work jackets to low-slung patchwork pants revealing high-waisted plaid boxer shorts, and a combination of a vest and shirt paired with a leather blazer resembling a restaurant server’s uniform. She even wears this ensemble for her father’s funeral. The aim appears to be portraying Lily as a quirky and relatable bohemian free spirit. However, the result is a character whose wardrobe, despite Lively’s dedicated acting, seems discordant with the film she’s part of.

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

Last year, when pictures of the film’s set were initially released, fans expressed their criticism about Blake Lively’s character’s disorderly clothing on various social media platforms. A user named Holden Smith even commented with disbelief on TikTok saying, “What are these outfits?!” accompanied by a sound clip to express his disappointment. However, the movie’s costume designer, Eric Daman, has handled these critics gracefully.

In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, Daman expressed his excitement about all the buzz surrounding the movie’s looks. He praised Lively, saying she’s a fantastic creative force with exceptional vision and great taste. Interestingly, Lively mentioned that she utilized pieces from her own wardrobe, as well as those of her husband Ryan Reynolds and friend Gigi Hadid, for the film’s outfits.

It’s worth mentioning that Daman, a multiple Emmy-winning costume designer for the show “Sex and the City,” had previously collaborated with Lively on “Gossip Girl.” His elaborate designs were perfectly suited to the over-the-top drama and indulgence of the Upper East Side teenagers in “Gossip Girl.” While the costumes might have been unrealistic, the characters’ youth and wealth made it easier for viewers to accept the extravagance. However, this same flamboyance falls flat in “It Ends With Us.”

Read more: Breaking Down All the It Ends With Us Drama

Costuming plays a significant role in storytelling, regardless of whether you’re a movie enthusiast or not. It helps create a setting, challenge conventions, or even break the fourth wall. Whether it immerses us in a fantasy world or anchors us in a specific time period, costumes can provide valuable context and set the tone for a scene – be it light-hearted or heavy. They can make characters feel relatable, aspirational, or out of touch. As TIME movie critic Stephanie Zacharek pointed out during this year’s awards season, “costumes are vital to the impact of movies.” For instance, J. Robert Oppenheimer’s somber attire in Christopher Nolan’s film portrayed him as a man of his era but also someone who was detached from it. Similarly, Bella Baxter’s costumes in ‘Poor Things’ were both otherworldly and strangely familiar, like something straight out of our wildest dreams.

In the poignant narrative of “It Ends With Us,” Lily’s struggle against domestic violence resonates deeply with countless women, underscoring a harsh truth many can relate to. It’s crucial to emphasize that a woman’s attire holds no connection to her past or present experiences with violence. Regrettably, in this story, Lily’s wardrobe seems to compete for attention rather than supporting the depth of her character.

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2024-08-10 02:06

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