It Ends with Us (English) Review {3.0/5} & Review Rating
Star Cast: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Brandon Sklenar
Director: Justin Baldoni
It Ends With Us Movie Review Synopsis:
IT ENDS WITH US is the story of a woman with a traumatic childhood. Lily Bloom (Blake Lively) returns to her hometown Plethora, Maine, after the demise of her father. She never had a healthy bond with him and hence, chooses not to speak at his funeral. She goes back to Boston, where she's settled, and goes atop the roof of a building, without permission, to mourn. She bumps into the charming Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni), a neurosurgeon who resides in the same building. Both instantly get attracted to each other. But Lily backs off when she realizes that Ryle doesn't believe in long-term relationships. Lily buys a place in the city to fulfill her dream of opening a floral shop. Allysa (Jenny Slate) walks into her shop when Lily is renovating it. They form a friendship and Allysa gets employed there. One day, Allysa brings her brother along and he turns out to be none other than Ryle. Ryle falls crazily in love with Lily and realizes that for the first time, he's ready to be in a serious relationship. Lily appreciates it and both begin dating. All is going well until one day, Lily meets Atlas (Brandon Sklenar), her first boyfriend, whom she thinks of quite often. What happens next forms the rest of the film.
It Ends With Us Movie Story Review:
IT ENDS WITH US is adapted from the bestselling novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover. The story is relevant and unlike other Hollywood films made from romantic novels. Christy Hall's screenplay is breezy. The dialogues are impactful and raise laughs in certain scenes.
Justin Baldoni's direction is lovely. There's a lot that happens in the film but the tonality never changes. Also, adapting a novel is always a challenge when the story moves back and forth. Here, Justin succeeds as Lily's flashback scenes don't seem out of place and contribute to the present-day track. The character of Ryle is depicted most realistically. Also, by raising important social issues, the film gets a mainstream appeal.
On the flipside, a few developments are unconvincing. There's no reason for Lily to keep the number of Atlas in her phone case. She should have ideally removed it knowing the behaviour of Ryle. Secondly, Lily's mother gets a raw deal, especially when it forms such an important part of the narrative. Lastly, the 'A' rating and disturbing theme might keep a section of the audience away.
It Ends With Us Movie Review Performances:
Blake Lively looks like a million bucks and delivers an able performance. She keeps her approach very subtle and that works well. Justin Baldoni takes the cake. There are times when you'll be floored by him and in the next scene, you'll despise him and how. Playing the part so authentically is no mean feat and he comes out with flying colours. Brandon Sklenar lends able support. Isabela Ferrer and Alex Neustaedter also deserve special mention for playing young Lily and young Atlas respectively. Jenny Slate is adorable. Hasan Minhaj (Marshall) is fine but doesn't have much to do. Amy Morton (Jenny Bloom; Lily's mother) is hardly there.
It Ends With Us music and other technical aspects:
Rob Simonsen and Duncan Blickenstaff's music is apt for a film like this. Barry Peterson's cinematography is neat. Eric Daman's costumes are stylish, especially the ones worn by Blake. Russell Barnes's production design is straight out of life and in the scene of the floral shop, it's aesthetic. Oona Flaherty and Robb Sullivan's editing is smooth.
It Ends With Us Movie Review Conclusion:
On the whole, IT ENDS WITH US raises some important issues and hence, stands out from the rest of the films adapted from romantic novels. At the box office, it might surprise due to the tremendous buzz. The cheaper ticket rates on its day of release would go in its favour as well.
