Blake Lively stars in the movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel It Ends With Us, which attempts to navigate the complex issues of domestic violence within the framework of a romantic comedy and a female empowerment story. Unfortunately, this uneven film ends up leaning too heavily into melodrama.
The story begins with an unconventional meeting between Lily Bloom (Lively) and Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni), who is both a neurosurgeon and the film’s director. Their encounter starts on a rooftop in Boston, where Ryle announces his presence by angrily kicking a patio chair while Lily, grappling with her abusive father’s recent death, tries to find solace. Their conversation, which touches on maraschino cherries and gun violence, hints at a complex relationship with an undeniable attraction but also an unsettling undertone.
The film follows Lily, a flower shop owner caught in a love triangle between the charming neurosurgeon Ryle and her high school sweetheart, Atlas (Brandon Sklenar). While Ryle exhibits red flags, they are only revealed gradually, giving credit to the filmmakers for not making the potential abuser too overtly obvious.
One of the film’s strengths is its portrayal of the aftermath of domestic violence and its impact on survivors. This aspect could have been more deeply explored or emphasized, especially as the film directs viewers to the anti-domestic violence group No More during the end credits.
Baldoni’s performance strikes a balance between menace and seduction, showcasing his ability to navigate the fine line between assertive and psychotic. His direction is effective in summarizing scenes quickly and moving the plot forward, though he does indulge in a few too many music-driven montages.
Lively’s performance is competent but veers close to the Manic Pixie Dream Girl trope with her quirky flower sketches and shabby chic style. However, she does have moments of striking presence, particularly in a stunning cut-out dress.
The script by Christy Hall handles some of the book’s awkward moments well, such as turning Lily’s father’s funeral into a flashback rather than an odd rooftop recreation. However, the film suffers from pacing issues, with a runtime exceeding two hours that feels stretched by tangents and poor editing, including abrupt scene cuts.
Questions arise, such as how Lively’s character manages to access the rooftop of a luxury high-rise and why her best friend, played by Jenny Slate, is working at the flower shop despite her apparent wealth. The film’s frequent focus on luxury items, from a Mercedes to million-dollar apartments, seems to suggest that domestic violence can affect people across all socio-economic levels.
The film’s soundtrack, featuring Thom Yorke, Lewis Capaldi, and Brittany Howard, also includes Taylor Swift’s “My Tears Ricochet,” adding a notable musical presence.
In the end, when Lily and Ryle first get together, she warns him, “Don’t let me regret this.” It’s a warning that resonates with the film’s overall execution, which may leave viewers regretting its missed opportunities.
It Ends With Us, a Sony Pictures release hitting theaters Friday, is rated PG-13 for domestic violence, sexual content, and strong language. Running time: 130 minutes. Rating: One and a half stars out of four.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
