You’ve Seen This One Before

As a seasoned moviegoer with a soft spot for romantic dramas that pack a punch, I found myself somewhat underwhelmed by “It Ends With Us.” Don’t get me wrong, it had all the trappings of a classic love triangle, complete with a dash of childhood trauma and a sprinkle of high-society glamour. But it felt like a rehash of familiar tropes, albeit with a slightly higher production budget and a few more lens flares.

The depth in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s popular novel “It Ends With Us,” where everyone seems to carry deep anxiety and enjoys extraordinary romantic encounters, primarily revolves around the three main characters’ names. The story follows Lily Bloom, a woman deeply connected to flowers, whose self-assurance and ability to love will rekindle one day. (Interestingly, “Blossom” is her middle name.) Her initial romance was with Atlas, who may have been her soul mate as he meticulously navigated her heart. Eventually, she marries Ryle, a wealthy and charismatic man whose temper issues surface when he becomes agitated.

As a cinephile, I must admit that the title “It Ends With Us” initially had me intrigued. However, the film’s didactic eccentricity is overshadowed by an abundance of melodramatic elements that make it somewhat whimsical. The narrative cycles through familiar romantic-drama tropes and a relentless barrage of abuse, staying true enough to Hoover’s plot to keep book fans content. Blake Lively delivers a solid performance as the protagonist Lily, giving her character a sturdy, guarded core that makes her relatable. Yet, at times, she doesn’t fully embody the level of delusion required by the script when it comes to her husband’s deceptions about their physical altercations. In a scene written by her real-life partner Ryan Reynolds, Lively shines with her giggles and witty asides; she can also be incredibly dry, much like in “A Simple Favor.” (Interestingly, this film seems to reflect Lively’s connections in the industry: Her close friend Taylor Swift contributed songs to the soundtrack, and her other close friend Gigi Hadid provided clothes for her character’s wardrobe.)

In a different phrasing: Contrary to its impression, It Ends With Us doesn’t fully deliver on its promise of an in-depth examination of the struggles faced by women. The discussions it offers regarding why women might remain in abusive relationships are overly general, focusing on themes like codependency and solitude rather than providing profound insights; the movie fails to delve deeply into the characters’ motivations or decisions beyond their (emphasize) childhood traumas. Essentially, it resembles a Hallmark/Lifetime/Netflix production with a higher production value, a slightly edgier aesthetic, a more lavish wardrobe budget, and an abundance of lens-flare-heavy sex scenes.

It Ends With Us explores Lily’s life through two timeframes. As a mature woman (played by Lively), she’s a florist in Boston who maintains distance from her domineering mother and embarks on an unusual romance with renowned neurosurgeon Ryle (Baldoni, also the director and producer of the film, who has had some conflicts with the cast; they have stopped following him on social media and at premieres often avoid discussing their work together). During their initial encounter, Ryle inquires about Lily’s willingness to engage in intimacy, which she finds off-putting. However, her feelings soften when she witnesses him empathizing with a young patient who was responsible for an accidental death. This moves her because she too carries the burden of a violent father. Teenage Lily (Ferrer) concealed her first love, an homeless man named Atlas (Neustaedter), from her father’s abuse. The story contrasts Atlas’s kindness with Ryle’s aggressiveness, Lily’s rural upbringing with Ryle’s urban wealth, and the pure sincerity of Lily’s early relationship with her more complex bond with Ryle. This tension reaches its peak when adult Lily discovers that Atlas (Sklenar) is living in Boston as well. Indeed, it does!

As a devoted admirer of heartwelt romantic dramas, I can’t help but notice the recurring patterns within the genre – from Danielle Steel and Nicholas Sparks to the latest sensation, Hoover. In many ways, “It Ends With Us” feels like a modern take on “The Notebook.” Both stories revolve around a woman torn between two men, one of whom is working class and the other, privileged; they also share tense mother-daughter dynamics steeped in resentment and skewed protection. Even the romantic gestures are reminiscent: just as Noah built Allie a house, Atlas constructs a restaurant for Lily.

In the story of “It Ends With Us,” there’s a palpable love triangle involving Lily, Ryle, and Atlas. However, the narrative aims to delve deeper than romantic tension. It frequently emphasizes the characters’ past traumas as a means to elicit our empathy, which implies that their pain is crucial for us to care about them. The film portrays intense scenes of domestic violence, abuse, and assault, some of which are graphically depicted and powerfully acted by Lively. One such scene stands out due to its raw physicality and emotional intensity, making a lasting impression amidst the film’s overwhelming sadness.

2024-08-09 16:53

You’ve Seen This One Before

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