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INTRODUCTION
From IMDB, I just found that the casting of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni as Lily and Ryle in It Ends with Us stirred up some controversy among fans. In the book, Lily is 23 and Ryle is 30, but Lively is 35 and Baldoni is 39.
The book’s author, Colleen Hoover, addressed this in an interview, explaining that she decided to make the characters older in the movie to fix a mistake she made in the book.
She admitted, “When I originally wrote It Ends With Us, the trend was to create younger, college-age characters, so I made Lily very young. But I didn’t realize that neurosurgeons, like Ryle, spend many years in school. There wouldn’t be a neurosurgeon in their twenties. As I started working on the movie, I realized we needed to age the characters up to be more realistic. That’s my mistake.”
It Ends with Us (2024) is a romantic drama film directed by Justin Baldoni, based on Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel.
The movie stars Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Brandon Sklenar, Jenny Slate, and Hasan Minhaj.
Released by Sony Pictures in the United States on August 9, 2024, the film features Britney Spears’ song every time during a key scene, and she’s thanked in the ending credits.
Blake Lively also paid tribute to Spears at the film’s premiere by wearing a vintage Versace dress that Britney famously wore in 2002 at a Versace fashion show.
This film runs for 2 hours and 10 minutes and is rated PG-13 for domestic violence, sexual content, and some strong language.
WHAT IS ‘IT ENDS WITH US’ ABOUT? PLOT / SYNOPSIS
“It Ends With Us” follows Lily Bloom, a woman trying to escape the pain of her abusive childhood. She leaves her small town and moves to Boston, where she hopes to start fresh by opening a flower shop.
Lily’s life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Ryle Kincaid, a charming neurosurgeon. They quickly fall in love, and everything seems perfect. But as they grow closer, Lily starts to notice that Ryle’s behavior reminds her of her father’s abusive ways.
Struggling with memories of her past, Lily is scared of repeating the same mistakes. Things get even more complicated when Atlas Corrigan, her first love, reappears in her life. Atlas represents a time of innocence and a bond they once shared, sparking feelings that never fully went away.
Stuck in a difficult love triangle and dealing with her painful past, Lily faces a tough choice. She must decide if she can break free from the cycle of abuse and build a life based on love, respect, and self-worth.
MY THOUGHTS ON “IT ENDS WITH US”
When I first walked into the theater to watch It Ends With Us, I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect because I hadn’t seen any trailer. Would it be a lighthearted romantic comedy or something with more emotional weight?
Well, I quickly realized that this was far more of a romantic drama than a comedy. The story begins with a funeral, which sets a rather somber tone right from the start. Not exactly the most upbeat way to kick off a romance, right?
However, despite the heavy start, the movie had a certain charm that reminded me of oldschool romances. There were some really touching moments, especially when the title of the film was woven into the storyline.
It could have easily come across as overly sentimental, but instead, it felt genuine. The movie struck a nice balance between lighthearted and deep, particularly in the first half, where we get to see the characters’ pasts and the emotional baggage they carry.
As the film progresses, it becomes clear that this isn’t just about a love story; it’s about breaking free from family trauma, with the main character, Lily, at the center of it all. The other characters also have their own struggles, but the spotlight stays on Lily, allowing us to deeply understand her journey.
Initially, I was worried about the classic love triangle scenario, fearing that one of the potential love interests would end up heartbroken. But the film pleasantly surprised me by moving away from the typical romantic comedy clichés. Instead, it transformed into a more serious drama that explored deeper themes. By the end, it felt like Lily’s story was about more than just choosing between two men; it was about finding herself.
CHARACTER PERFORMANCE
Let’s talk about the actors in It Ends With Us. They were all amazing! It felt like they were real people living the story, not just acting.
Blake Lively, who plays Lily, was incredible! She made me feel all kinds of emotions—happy, sad, confused, and even angry. It was like she was living Lily’s life, and I was right there with her, feeling everything she went through. She showed how tough it can be to love someone when you’re still hurt from the past. Her performance was so real, I almost forgot she was acting!
Justin Baldoni, who plays Ryle, was also really good. He made Ryle seem like a nice guy, but also a bit troubled. You know, the kind of person you like, but you’re not entirely sure about? Their love story with Lily wasn’t just, “He loves her, she loves him, the end.” It was more like peeling back the layers of an onion to see what was going on.
And the other actors were fantastic too! They weren’t just there for show—each one had their problems and interesting qualities. It felt like they were all friends hanging out, not just actors in a movie. They acted so naturally together that you could believe they had known each other for a long time.
VISUAL DESIGN AND CINEMATOGRAPHY
Visually, It Ends With Us was a treat. The cinematography was beautiful, with each scene carefully crafted to enhance the mood of the film.
The settings were lovely, adding to the overall atmosphere of the movie. The film did a great job of using visual cues to tell the story, whether it was through the use of color, lighting, or camera angles.
One thing I appreciated was how the visual design reflected the emotional journey of the characters. As Lily’s story unfolded, the cinematography shifted to match her emotional state, making the audience feel even more connected to her experience.
The transitions between past and present were smooth, helping to keep the story cohesive and engaging.
WRITING STYLE AND STORY
The writing in It Ends With Us was well done, although it might not be everyone’s cup of tea. The story was emotionally driven, focusing on the characters and their inner struggles rather than on a fast-paced plot.
At times, the pacing felt a bit slow, and there were moments where I found myself wondering where the story was headed. However, this slower pace allowed for a deeper exploration of the characters, which made the emotional payoff at the end more satisfying.
The story itself was filled with coincidences, which might not be the strongest aspect of the writing. It seemed like a lot of the plot was moved forward by chance encounters rather than deliberate choices by the characters.
While this could be seen as a flaw, it didn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of the film.
The dialogue was another strong point. It felt natural and real, with the characters speaking in a way that was relatable and honest.
THEMES
It Ends With Us tackles heavy themes, including love, loss, trauma, and self-discovery. The film doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, and it handles them with care and sensitivity.
One of the main themes is breaking free from the past and finding the strength to move forward. Lily’s journey is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the hardest thing to do is to let go and start anew.
Another theme is the complexity of relationships, particularly how love can be both beautiful and painful.
AUDINECE COMMENTS
“ It starts here with me and you, it ends with us “
— kels🦋 (@itskelsx) August 10, 2024
I fully bawled watching it ends with us😭
My favourite bit of It Ends With Us is that you don’t have to suffer through the journal entries to Ellen DeGeneres unlike the book (I really liked the film anyway)
— i’m baby ✨ 👼🏻💛🤎♏️ (@beccydangelo) August 10, 2024
Shout out to all the boyfriends who are in the cinema about to watch it ends with us you're the best
— court★*⋆ (@sleeepysuga) August 10, 2024
I don’t understand why it ends with us is being marketed as a romance movie where’s all the discussions about dv
— 🎀 (@hater4679) August 10, 2024
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, It Ends With Us is a romantic drama that offers more than just a typical love story.
While it might not be groundbreaking, it’s emotionally engaging and visually stunning. The performances are strong, the writing is solid, and the themes are both relevant and thought-provoking.
It’s important to note that this movie might not be for everyone.
The slower pace and focus on character development might not appeal to those who prefer more action-packed films.
But if you enjoy stories that dive deep into the human experience and explore the complexities of love and life, It Ends With Us is a movie you shouldn’t miss.
People also watch – FIND ME FALLING (2024).
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