A One Mann’s Movies review of “It Ends With Us” (2024).
“It Ends With Us” is based on a best-selling book by Colleen Hoover (which, of course, I haven’t read, but millions have). I was expecting a pretty standard ‘rom-com gone wrong’ but it was actually done more subtly than that.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
Plot Summary:
When Lily Blossom Bloom (Blake Lively), a wannabe florist (no, I’m not joking), meets rich, eligible but rogueish batchelor neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) her life seems to be falling together perfectly. Then she meets her childhood sweetheart Atlas Corrigan* (Brandon Sklenar). Lily’s perfect relationship starts to unravel in surprising ways.
(* Was Colleen Hoover picking her character’s names as a bet?).
Certification:
UK: 15; US: PG-13. (From the BBFC web site: “Sexual violence, domestic abuse”).
Talent:
Starring: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Brandon Sklenar, Isabela Ferrer, Alex Neustaedter, Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Amy Morton.
Directed by: Justin Baldoni.
Written by: Christy Hall (From the novel by Colleen Hoover.)
Running Time: 2h 10m.
“It Ends With Us” Summary:
Positives:
- A film in two halves: part pure romance and part drama, both of which are done well.
- A strong ensemble cast, with Blake Lively being particularly fabulous.
- The ‘events’ in the relationship are skillfully filmed: Lily becomes an unreliable narrator.
Negatives:
- Some of the script is a little ‘on the nose’.
- At 130 minutes, it takes its time: 20 minutes less would have made it better.
Review of “It Ends With Us”:
A solid feature that has lots to commend it.
We actually spend a considerable proportion of this film in lovey-dovey land. We have the cute-meet of Lily (Blake Lively) and Ryle (Justin Baldoni), which is beautifully acted by the leads. Although starting with the ‘foolproof’ chat-up line from Ryle “I want to have sex with you”, it resolves – in a refreshing change – in the pair not jumping into the sack on the first date. We also have the backstory of how the teenage Lily (Isabela Ferrer) met, and gave up her virginity to, a down-and-out Atlas (Alex Neustaedter). This is also equally charming. (Part of me was thinking, “ooh, wouldn’t it be nice to JUST have a romantic film which showed how a couple’s relationships developed through time”. But then reality struck and I knew things would need to turn sour to make a more interesting book/film.)
What makes the story interesting is the way in which it covers the marital abuse at the heart of the tale. Lily Bloom becomes an unreliably narrator, as we see what appears to be a set of ‘accidents’ occurring. For example, her husband burns his hand and in pulling away accidently whacks her in the face. It is only later that reality dawns and the unsettling aspect of Ryle’s nature emerges.
A terrific cast.
Leading the cast is ‘Lady Deadpool’ herself, Blake Lively. I found myself thinking more than a few times what a lucky stiff Ryan Reynolds is to be married to her! She is a stunning woman and has just so much acting talent to boot. It’s a really great and nuanced performance.
Elsewhere, the talented Baldoni (he also directs) is great as the husband Ryle. He’s very believable as the hunky eye-candy (getting his shirt off regularly!) but plays the ending particularly well: an air of sadness and shame in equal measure.
Isabela Ferrer is an excellent casting choice for the young Lily. She’s so much like Lively that in some of the (unannounced) flashback scenes you struggle to realise that you’ve flashed back. (“Oh, look, she’s brought her old childhood music box back to Boston with her…. oh, no, hang on!”)
Elsewhere in the supporting cast is Hasan Minhaj playing Lily’s brother-in-law in a role almost identical to that in last week’s “Babes“!
You’ll never believe what they did when they grew up.
The script is, at times, a bit on the nose. For example, a lot is made of Lily’s gardening expertise as a teen and – well I never – she grows up to own a florist shop. Similarly, young Atlas surprises Lily by baking his special recipe for cookies and – well I never – he grows up to own a restaurant.
Somewhat overlong.
The film was described in the online review by top critic and author the Reverend Andy Godfrey as “130 minutes of dullness”. I actually disagree about the “dullness” as I was engaged with this one throughout. However, I do agree that it does outstay its welcome a little and would have been a better film if it had been compressed by 20 minutes or so.
Summary Thoughts on “It Ends With Us”
A rom/dram that feels really well made and entertained me throughout. It succeeds in not making the main protagonist an unredeemable villain which feels the right sort of approach while not ducking any of the issues.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “It Ends With Us”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0x-HhWm5K3U .
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