Romance meets reality

I had no idea this movie even existed until my girlfriend mentioned it, saying she wanted to see a film starring Blake Lively, the wife of Ryan Reynolds, who just came out with the Deadpool & Wolverine movie. The trailer painted a picture of a seemingly typical romantic drama—a woman caught between her past and present loves, navigating the complications that arise. But as it turns out, It Ends With Us focuses on domestic violence.

Concept

At its core, It Ends With Us attempts to shed light on the realities of domestic violence, telling the story of Lily Blossom Bloom, a woman trying to escape the cycle of abuse that has plagued her life. From her troubled past with an abusive father to her present-day relationship with a neurosurgeon who exhibits similar violent tendencies, Lily’s journey is one of self-discovery and the struggle to break free from a destructive pattern, unlike her mother.

The film, however, struggles to balance its intended message with the romantic elements that the marketing and initial setup seemed to promise. Blake Lively’s performance is good, capturing the emotional turmoil of a woman trapped between love and fear. But the narrative often romanticizes the the violence, undermining its own message. The film’s attempt to attract a broader audience with a romantic storyline clashes with the gravity of the subject matter, leaving viewers confused about the film’s true purpose.

Watch the It Ends With Us trailer.

Design

Personally, I found the story structure itself to be a major drawback. The film frequently jumps between present-day events and flashbacks to Lily’s past. While this technique is intended to slowly unravel her backstory, I found it more frustrating than engaging. The fragmented storytelling made it difficult to stay invested in the plot and I was never fully drawn into the boring narrative.

One of the biggest issues with It Ends With Us is the way it handles domestic violence. Rather than addressing the issue head-on, the film skirts around it, using it as a backdrop for the romantic plot rather than the focal point. This not only dilutes the impact of the message but also risks trivializing the experiences of those who have lived through similar situations. Critics have rightly pointed out that the film’s marketing attempt to appeal to a romantic audience while tackling such a heavy subject feels misguided at best and irresponsible at worst.

Aesthetics

Visually, the film does a decent job of setting the tone. The flower shop scenes, full of vibrant colors, serve as a stark contrast to the dramatic moments of the film. Despite its flaws, there are a few scenes that stood out to me and added a much-needed tension to the otherwise monotonous narrative. These brief interaction effectively captured the film’s potential to build suspense and explore complex emotions, yet it was fleeting—a short-lived high point.

Value

Despite some solid performances from the cast, the writing felt weak and the overall story lacked depth. The film focused too heavily on romance, missing an opportunity to add a meaningful second layer to the narrative. My girlfriend, who was initially excited to see the movie, also left the theater disappointed. It’s clear that the film didn’t resonate with either of us and I doubt it will with many others.

Verdict

It Ends With Us is a film that had the potential to make a strong statement about the realities of domestic violence but instead it fumbles the opportunity by trying to juggle too many tones. While Blake Lively’s performance and the film’s photography are noteworthy, the overall execution leaves much to be desired. For those expecting a straightforward romantic drama, be prepared for a boring story—one that leaves you questioning if it was a waste of time.