Director: Justin Baldoni
Writers: Christy Hall, Colleen Hoover (novel)
Starring: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Amy Morton, and Brandon Sklenar
Rated: PG-13 for domestic violence, sexual content and some strong language.
Synopsis: It Ends with Us, the first Colleen Hoover novel adapted for the big screen, tells the compelling story of Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), a woman who overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life in Boston and chase a lifelong dream of opening her own business. A chance meeting with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) sparks an intense connection, but as the two fall deeply in love, Lily begins to see sides of Ryle that remind her of her parents’ relationship. When Lily’s first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), suddenly reenters her life, her relationship with Ryle is upended, and Lily realizes she must learn to rely on her own strength to make an impossible choice for her future.
Review: Lily’s father’s death comes just as she is about to pick up the keys to the space she plans to transform into the flower shop of her dreams. His passing triggers memories of witnessing her mother endure physical abuse and Atlas, her first true love who was ripped away by her father’s disapproval. It is in this state of mind when Lily meets Ryle. He’s attractive, wealthy, and completely disinterested in a monogamous relationship. A phone call interrupts their inevitable one-night stand. They part ways not expecting to see each other again.
Happenstance intervenes and Lily and Ryle have their chance at a relationship. A chance meeting with Atlas complicates the situation. Ryle becomes increasingly controlling and jealous. Atlas wants to swoop in and play prince charming. Does Lily need saving?
I spent most of It Ends with Us wondering why actors I am fond of saw in a project that felt like a disorganized mess of bad dialogue and a love triangle with an all-too-obvious ending. And then, when the film pivots to a more serious topic, it was perfectly clear why the actors were involved.
It Ends with Us wants to but doesn’t work as both a traditional romantic drama and an exploration of generational physical abuse. Not because it can’t be done. It’s just incredibly difficult to do. I admire the ambition of the filmmakers. However, the script, and possibly the source material, isn’t strong enough to mix the unrealistic aspects of a traditional romance film with the serious themes.
The conversations are bizarre. The characters somehow manage to be evasive and too on the nose at the same time. The film really only works for me when it lets us inside of Lily’s head to help us understand her triggers and trauma.
