It Ends with Us

It Ends with Us, Justin Baldoni's film adaptation of Colleen Hoover's best-selling novel, is a complex blend of romantic drama and reflection on the cycle of domestic violence. The film, like the book, attempts to explore the complex dynamics of love, trauma and difficult choices faced by those trapped in toxic relationships. With Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in the lead roles, the film aims to tell a story as much about self-discovery as it is about breaking free from generational patterns of abuse. However, despite its ambitions and visually stunning presentation, the film often struggles under the weight of its own themes, resulting in a narrative that feels both disjointed and overly stylized.

The story centers on Lily Blossom Bloom (Blake Lively), a young woman who has recently moved to Boston and dreams of opening her own flower store. Lily is presented as a character carrying the emotional baggage of a traumatic childhood, having seen her mother, Jenny Bloom (Amy Morton), endure years of abuse at the hands of her father, Andrew Bloom (Kevin McKidd). Despite these dark memories, Lily is determined to build her own life, away from the violence in which she grew up.

Lily's journey begins on a hopeful note when she meets Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni), a charming and seemingly perfect neurosurgeon. Their relationship quickly blossoms into a passionate romance, filled with moments of intense connection and love. However, as their relationship deepens, Ryle's dark side begins to surface. What begins as small, seemingly accidental outbursts of anger gradually escalate into more serious, deliberate acts of violence. Lily, who thought she'd escaped the cycle of abuse, finds herself trapped in a situation that bears an uncanny resemblance to her mother's.

As if the challenges of her relationship with Ryle weren't enough, Lily's past comes back to haunt her in the form of Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), her first love. Atlas, who was homeless when Lily first met him as a teenager, has since turned his life around and now runs a successful restaurant in Boston. His reappearance in Lily's life forces her to confront the unresolved emotions of her past and the harsh reality of her present. Torn between her feelings for Ryle and the lingering connection she has with Atlas, Lily must navigate a complex web of emotions and make the difficult decision to stay in her toxic relationship or break free, once and for all.

Blake Lively steps into Lily's shoes with a blend of charm and vulnerability, embodying the character's journey from hopeful young woman to someone grappling with the painful realities of her relationship. Blake Lively's performance captures the initial appeal and warmth of Lily's character, making it easy for the audience to empathize with her. However, as the story progresses and the tone shifts from romance to drama, Blake Lively's performance sometimes falls into the trap of oversimplification. While she effectively conveys Lily's superficial emotions - her love for Ryle, her fear and confusion - there's a notable lack of deeper emotional nuance that could have made her performance more convincing. This shortcoming becomes particularly evident in the scenes where Lily has to face up to the reality of Ryle's abuse, as Lively's performance doesn't fully convey the internal conflict and psychological turmoil that such a situation would undoubtedly cause.

Justin Baldoni, who not only directs but also plays Ryle, brings a mixture of charisma and menace to his role. Ryle is a character who, at first glance, seems the ideal partner - successful, handsome and deeply in love with Lily. However, Justin Baldoni carefully peels back the layers of Ryle's character, revealing the deep-seated anger and trauma that motivates his violent behavior. Justin Baldoni's performance is at its best when Ryle's dark side is subtly hinted at rather than overtly displayed, creating a sense of unease that mirrors Lily's growing unease. 

However, as with Lively, Justin Baldoni's portrayal lacks the complexity necessary to make Ryle a truly three-dimensional character. The film's script often reduces him to a set of predictable actions and emotions, which limits Justin Baldoni's ability to explore the more complex aspects of Ryle's personality.
Brandon Sklenar, as Atlas Corrigan, provides a stark contrast to Ryle's character. Atlas is portrayed as kind, stable and a safe haven for Lily amidst the storm of her relationship with Ryle. However, like the other characters, Atlas is somewhat underdeveloped. Although Brandon Sklenar's performance is warm and sincere, Atlas' character often feels like a one-dimensional archetype - the good guy who offers Lily an escape from her troubled life. This lack of depth makes it difficult for the audience to become fully invested in the possible rebirth of Lily and Atlas' relationship, as it feels more like a convenient artifice than a truly organic connection.

Jenny Slate, who plays Lily's best friend and Ryle's sister Allysa, is one of the film's highlights. Slate brings much-needed energy and humor to the story, offering moments of levity in an otherwise heavy-handed narrative. Her performance is both engaging and realistic, making Allysa one of the film's few fully-realized characters. However, even Slate's solid performance can't entirely offset the film's tendency to gloss over important emotional moments and character development.

Justin Baldoni's direction of It Ends with Us is a blend of visually stunning cinematography and a somewhat disjointed narrative style. The film's aesthetic is undeniably beautiful, with Barry Peterson's cinematography capturing Boston's vibrant cityscape and the intimate, almost ethereal atmosphere of Lily's flower store. The use of light, color and composition throughout the film creates a dreamlike quality that draws the audience into Lily's world, making the moments of romance all the more enchanting.

However, this same dreamlike quality often works against the film when it tackles more serious themes. The contrast between the film's bright, picturesque images and the dark subject of domestic violence creates a shocking disconnect that undermines the emotional weight of the story. For example, scenes of violence are often interspersed with visually appealing sets and warm, soft lighting, which can give the impression that the violence isn't immediate and feels more like a distant, almost surreal event. This approach, while visually striking, diminishes the impact of the film's most poignant moments, preventing the audience from fully engaging with the emotional gravity of Lily's situation.

Justin Baldoni's directorial choices also contribute to the film's uneven tone. The film oscillates between light romantic moments and intense dramatic scenes, but the transitions between these tones are not always fluid. This inconsistency leaves audiences uncertain, as the film strives to balance the demands of a romantic drama with serious themes of abuse and trauma. The film's pacing only exacerbates this problem, with some scenes dragging on longer than necessary, while others seem rushed and underdeveloped.

One of the film's most effective techniques is the use of close-ups, particularly in scenes involving Lily and Ryle. These close-ups allow the audience to witness subtle shifts in the characters' emotions, creating a sense of intimacy that draws the viewer into their relationship. However, even this technique can become intrusive when overused, as it sometimes feels more like a stylistic choice than a deliberate effort to enhance the narrative.
The central theme of It Ends with Us is the cyclical nature of abuse and the difficult decisions that must be made by those in its grip. The film attempts to explore how past traumas can influence present relationships, as shown by Lily's experiences with her abusive father and her tumultuous relationship with Ryle. The story also touches on the concept of release from these cycles, with Lily ultimately having to choose between staying with Ryle or finding the strength to leave.

While these themes are undeniably important, the film's execution leaves much to be desired. The story often gets bogged down in its own melodramatic tendencies, with dialogue that seems more suited to a soap opera than a serious exploration of abuse. Lines like You make me jealous of a homeless man and I want to make love to you are emblematic of the film's difficulty in maintaining a coherent tone. These moments of awkward or overly dramatic dialogue detract from the film's more serious intentions, and prevent the audience from becoming fully invested in the characters' struggles.

Flashbacks to Lily's childhood, where she witnesses her father's abuse, are supposed to provide context for her current situation. However, these scenes feel more like obligatory exposition than a meaningful exploration of Lily's trauma. The flashbacks are often brief and lack the emotional depth necessary to fully convey the impact of her father's abuse on her psyche. As a result, the link between Lily's past and present seems tenuous at best, weakening the film's overall narrative.

The film also falls short in its depiction of Lily and Ryle's relationship. While the early stages of their romance are portrayed with warmth and passion, the transition to Ryle's abusive behavior is abrupt and poorly handled. The film fails to adequately explore the psychological manipulation and control that often accompany abusive relationships, opting instead for a more superficial depiction of violence. This lack of depth reduces the film's message to a simplistic love versus abuse narrative, missing the opportunity to delve into the more complex dynamics at play in such relationships.

What's more, the film's resolution feels rushed and unsatisfying. After a series of dramatic confrontations and revelations, Lily's decision to leave Ryle and pursue a life free of abuse is presented as almost too easy. The film glosses over the difficulties and emotional turmoil that often accompany such a decision, giving the impression that Lily's escape from Ryle is a straightforward process. This oversimplification undermines the film's message about the difficulties of breaking free from an abusive relationship and the strength needed to do so.
Visually, It Ends with Us is a feast for the eyes. The film's aesthetic choices, from the carefully chosen costumes to the warm, bright images, create a world that is both beautiful and welcoming. The scenes set in Lily's flower store are particularly striking, with vibrant colors and intricate floral arrangements that reflect Lily's passion and creativity. These visual elements add a layer of charm to the film, making the romantic moments between Lily and Ryle all the more captivating.

However, the emphasis on aesthetics often works against the film's more serious themes. The film's glossy presentation can prevent full engagement with the darker aspects of the story, as the beauty of the images sometimes overshadows the seriousness of the subject matter. This is particularly true in scenes where the film attempts to depict the cycle of abuse. The juxtaposition of visually appealing settings and scenes of violence creates a dissonance that diminishes the impact of these moments, making them seem more like an abstract concept than a visceral reality.

The costumes, designed by Eric Daman, are another example of the film's contradictory priorities. While the costumes are undeniably elegant and visually interesting, they often feel out of place in a story that tackles such weighty themes. Lily's bohemian-chic outfits and Atlas's rugged yet polished look contribute to the film's overall aesthetic, but do little to enhance the narrative or character development. On the contrary, these costumes serve as a distraction, diverting attention from the story to the film's superficial appeal.

One of the film's greatest weaknesses is its lack of fully developed characters. Although It Ends with Us features a cast of intriguing individuals, many of them remain frustratingly one-dimensional, serving more as plot devices than full-fledged people. This is particularly evident in the film's male characters, who are often reduced to stereotypical good and evil men.

Ryle Kincaid, despite Justin Baldoni's best efforts, is portrayed as the quintessential bad boy who ultimately turns out to be a dangerous abuser. The film alludes to Ryle's troubled past and his deep-seated anger, but never fully explores the psychological complexity of his character. As a result, Ryle's transformation from charming lover to violent partner seems abrupt and lacks the emotional depth necessary to make it truly believable.
Atlas Corrigan, meanwhile, is portrayed as the ideal good guy, a stable, kind-hearted man who offers Lily an escape from her troubled life. However, Atlas' character is so underdeveloped that he seems more like a fantasy than a real person. The film doesn't dwell on Atlas's struggles and experiences, which prevents the audience from becoming fully invested in his relationship with Lily.

Lily herself, though more developed than the male characters, still suffers from a lack of depth. Although the film spends a lot of time with Lily, her character development focuses on her relationships with Ryle and Atlas rather than her own personal development. As a result, Lily's journey feels more like a reaction to the men in her life than a true exploration of her own identity and strength.

Secondary characters, such as Jenny Slate's Allysa, offer a few moments of levity and emotional connection, but are ultimately sidelined in favor of the main romantic plot. This lack of attention to the characters as a whole limits the film's ability to fully explore the themes of community and support that are so crucial to the story's message of breaking the cycle of abuse.

At its core, It Ends with Us is a story about the cyclical nature of abuse, and the difficult decisions that must be made by those trapped within it. The film attempts to explore how past traumas can influence present relationships and the difficulties of breaking free from these patterns. However, despite its intentions, the film often lacks effectiveness in its execution, resulting in a narrative that is both simplistic and lacking in depth.
One of the film's greatest shortcomings is its inability to fully engage with the psychological and emotional complexities of abusive relationships. Although the film depicts instances of violence, it often glosses over the more insidious forms of abuse, such as psychological manipulation and control. This lack of nuance reduces the film's message to a simplistic good-versus-evil narrative, missing the opportunity to explore the more complex dynamics at play in abusive relationships.
The film's resolution, in which Lily finally decides to leave Ryle and pursue a life free of abuse, is presented as almost too easy. The film glosses over the emotional and logistical challenges that often accompany such a decision, giving the impression that Lily's escape from Ryle is a simple process. This oversimplification undermines the film's message about the difficulty of breaking free from an abusive relationship and the strength required to do so.

Moreover, the film's focus on the romantic relationships in Lily's life often comes at the expense of exploring other important aspects of her character. While the film touches on Lily's passion for her flower store and her desire to build her own life, these elements often take a back seat to the more dramatic aspects of the story. This lack of attention to Lily's personal development and independence limits the film's ability to fully explore the theme of self-reliance.

It Ends with Us is a film that attempts to juggle the demands of a romantic drama with the weight of a domestic violence story. Although it has moments of real emotional impact, particularly in its depiction of Lily's gradual realization of Ryle's abusive nature, the film fails to offer a fully coherent or satisfying narrative. The performances, particularly those of Blake Lively and Jenny Slate, hint at the film's potential, but they aren't enough to overcome the disjointed direction and uneven tone.

Visually, the film is stunning, with beautiful cinematography and a polished aesthetic that draws audiences into Lily's world. However, the emphasis on style often runs counter to the film's more serious themes, creating a disconnect that diminishes the story's impact. The absence of fully-developed characters and the oversimplification of the film's central themes further weaken its message, leaving audiences with a narrative that feels both superficial and unconvincing.

For fans of Colleen Hoover's novel, It Ends with Us may be a faithful, if imperfect, adaptation that captures the essence of Lily's journey while skimming over some of the deeper issues at play. However, for those looking for a deeper exploration of the themes of abuse and healing, the film may leave them wanting more. While the film ends with the hope of breaking the cycle of violence, it does so with a lightness that risks trivializing the very issues it seeks to address.

It Ends with Us
Directed by Justin Baldoni
Written by Christy Hall
Based on It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
Produced by Alex Saks, Jamey Heath, Christy Hall
Starring Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Brandon Sklenar
Cinematography : Barry Peterson
Edited by Oona Flaherty, Robb Sullivan
Music by Rob Simonsen, Duncan Blickenstaff
Production companies: Columbia Pictures, Wayfarer Studios, Saks Picture Company
Distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing
Release date : August 9, 2024 (United States), August 14, 2024 (France)
Running time : 130 minutes

Seen on August 14, 2024 at Gaumont Disney Village, Room 16 seat A21

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