The publishing world was taken by storm by Colleen Hoover whether you like it or not and one of her sweeping romances was only a matter of time before the big screen got its hands on. It would therefore be fair to expect that her most famous book, It Ends with Us, will be the first in line. The filmmakers behind the project led by Justin Baldoni as a director have something to prove as it may depend on which corner of the internet you are on, smooth- talking redhead and budding florist Lily Bloom (played by Blake Lively in the film) could either be seen as an amazing tear-jerker or an awkward depiction of abuse. However, thanks to smart dialogue writing, beautiful art direction and outstanding lead performance from Lively, it immerses into difficult topics with sophistication, softness and some more attention.
In Hoover’s book pages, it is hard to see what makes Lily special but when watching her on screen in Lively’s personification that effect is absolutely striking. As she portrays a fully glamorous Lily donning Carhartt jumpsuits and chunky rings without making her appear unattainable. Moreover she has great chemistry with Baldoni who plays one of Lively’s love interests here apart being its director: Ryle Kincaid – a fascinating neurosurgeon whose violent jealousy reminds Lilly about her own tormented childhood. This capacity allows Baldoni to breathe life into Ryle elevating him above just another sexy abuser/villain into someone audiences can feel for even if they do not like him at all. The cool factor he and Lively lend It Ends With Us is not something I associate with Hoover’s overall bibliography—most of which feels like it belongs more in Target’s discount section than on any red carpet.
If they were ridiculous caricatures rather than characters we could relate to then credit goes undoubtedly to Christy Hall (co-creator of “I Am Not Okay with This”) who wrote a screenplay that could be both self-deprecating and fan service. They laugh at each other after Lily and Ryle meet, commenting on how absurd their names are. “When’s the last time you saw someone who looked like me who wasn’t on a daytime soap?” asks Ryle at one point, while Lily’s mother (Amy Morton) has an appropriately over-the-top reaction when she meets him. It is a movie where a woman named Lily Blossom Bloom opens up her own flower shop, falls in love with a doctor who should be mistaken for Greek God; simultaneously it turns out that the first person she hires to help open her shop is also the doctor’s sister (Jenny Slate) – plus, just as all this happens to her first love Atlas (Brandon Sklenar) comes back into her life. But it knows what it’s doing and enjoys every minute.
Moreover, by shifting from first to third person perspective in terms of narration, Hall also manages to avoid some of the book’s more syrupy parts meaning audiences can focus on the puzzling but sometimes heartrending realities that affect Lily directly. The flashback scenes are done tremendously well with Alex Neustaedter (as young Atlas) and newcomer Isabela Ferrer (as young Lily), especially the latter does this so well that Lively almost looks like her clone.
Of course, the book is itself slightly absurd and that cannot be masked by all the serious Ethel Cain tracks in its soundtrack. Is Lily supposed to see Atlas as a savior from her miserable life of abuse who traps her in a bathroom and fights Ryle? Considering you are always caught up in romantic drama can you possibly have a small venture only with one other employee? Do these characters constantly claim that Boston is the world’s best city? Maybe not. Nonetheless, It Ends with Us – this is truly great adaptation for the cinema as it is for newbies who may also satisfy old fans. Take fashion go through an incredibly great cast- moreover if you cry easily have some tissues.
Final Verdict
It Ends with Us is a sometimes cheesy and cloying novel but Justin Baldoni’s film adaptation boasts an excellent script and outstanding performances such as Blake Lively’s lead role that elevate Colleen Hoover’s tale to its cinematic peak. But just like its source material, this movie isn’t above being ridiculous. No it does not work though. On the other hand, it will take nothing short of laughter at this ridiculousness or even tears streaming down your face.
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