It Ends With Us Review: A Heartwrenching Romance Drama

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As a seasoned movie-goer with a heart for romantic dramas and a knack for spotting red flags from miles away, I must say that “It Ends With Us” has left me both moved and unsettled.

“It Ends With Us” is a captivating screen adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s 2016 romance novel. In the film, Blake Lively portrays Lily Bloom, a woman who encounters the charismatic Ryle Kincaid, played by Justin Baldoni. Their relationship blossoms, but complications arise when Lily reconnects with an old love. Over the past few years, this book has gained significant popularity within the TikTok community and is highly regarded for its thought-provoking themes. Although I have not read the book, the movie skillfully narrates the heart-wrenching tale of a woman entangled in an abusive relationship.

The film opens by introducing us to Lily shortly after her father’s death. She is unable to find anything positive to say about him at his funeral, and we’re left wondering why their relationship was so strained. As she sits on a roof and ponders, Ryle joins her on the roof. The two meet and hit it off. This particular scene works due to a few qualities. Christy Hall, who also wrote this year’s Daddio, adapts the book superbly. The dialogue can feel organically funny at times while also slowing down at the right moments and becoming more somber when the characters unpack their lives.

The movie’s triumph can be traced not only to its storyline but also to the remarkable acting dynamics, notably Justin Baldoni’s versatility both in front of and behind the camera. Balancing acting and directing is a demanding endeavor, yet Baldoni manages it admirably. His camera arrangements, simple yet impactful, along with his direction of the performances, particularly his scene opposite Blake Lively, are worthy of praise. Their back-and-forth exchanges seem genuine, adding layers to the characters and keeping viewers hooked.

In a compelling manner, Lively and Baldoni skillfully breathe life into characters that seem familiar to us. The script subtly introduces Ryle’s warning signs from the start, without completely alienating him from the audience. This approach invites us to put ourselves in Lily’s shoes, questioning our reactions if we were facing similar circumstances. It’s tempting to justify and excuse Ryle’s actions due to the unforgiving nature of the storyline, but there comes a point when he oversteps boundaries, leaving us appalled as we witness Lily slip into a distressing predicament. We can only watch helplessly as events unfold.

The movie “It Ends With Us” uses a non-linear storytelling approach, moving between the current situation and flashbacks to Lily’s teenage years, skillfully portrayed by Isabela Ferrer. Her performance convincingly mirrors Blake Lively’s character. In these flashbacks, we discover her initial romance with Atlas Corrigan (played by Alex Neustaedter), gain insights into her father’s character and his family dynamics, and understand how her past has shaped the person Lily is today.

Initially, Lily encounters Allysa (Jenny Slate), who seeks employment at her florist shop. Interestingly, Allysa is Rile’s sibling, which sets an intriguing stage, especially when their friendship deepens into a close bond. Their camaraderie emerges as one of the heartwarming elements of the movie, and so does Allysa’s bond with her partner Marshall (Hasan Minhaj). Throughout her acting career, Slate has demonstrated impressive comedic skills. Despite this, she is given a dramatic scene near the end that allows her to showcase her talents as a serious actress.

In the story, Ryle and Lily grow more intimate, but the unexpected emergence of an adult Atlas (Brandon Sklenar) disrupts their harmony. Despite Atlas having a significant scene towards the film’s end, his character could have been developed further earlier on for a richer experience. The plot excels when it provides Ryle with motives to feel jealous and generates tension by showing what actions he might take upon learning certain facts. This works effectively because Ryle is initially portrayed as a powerful, attractive man, but this charm comes with numerous warning signs. His character is skillfully written with a great deal of understanding, avoiding the stereotype of an evil, abusive spouse. Instead, there are aspects to him that make him both likable and detestable.

The runtime also feels a bit long, but that’s because the movie spends a lot of time on Lily’s relationships with Ryle, Atlas, Alyssa, her mother, and her father. It Ends With Us succeeds primarily due to Lively’s performance. Her way of speaking makes every line feel unrehearsed, which is one of the best qualities an actor can have. The film’s theme of how abuse occurs in generational cycles is powerful as we see Lily’s aim to break the cycle that exists so commonly in the world. All we can do throughout is hope that it ends with her.

SCORE: 7/10

According to ComingSoon’s review guidelines, a rating of 7 means “Good.” This indicates an enjoyable piece of entertainment that’s definitely worth watching, although it might not be appealing to all viewers.

Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our review.

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2024-08-07 17:11