A movie like It Ends with Us is difficult for me to talk about as a critic. On one hand I did not enjoy it at all. That said, I do think it is an improvement upon the book, which I really disliked so fans of the book, which there are many, will probably love it. It might seem like a strange comparison but in a way it is similar to Dune. A book and world I can’t stand but I can’t deny the films are good translations of that material and will make its many fans very happy. Can you really criticize something for being what it is supposed to be? It would be like criticizing a cake for not being a pie. It’s supposed to be a cake and that’s what it is.

Anyway, that’s a long intro to my thoughts about this film. The story based on the popular Colleen Hoover novel is about a woman named Lily Blooms who you guessed it is a florist. She is played by Blake Lively and she is a stunning human who does what she can with the role. They also got Isabela Ferrer to play young Lily and the two look identical. The casting director deserves major props in that department.

Lily comes from a broken home with an abusive Dad she hates. Then we see in flashback her first love with a man named Atlas (Brandon Sklenar and young Alex Neustaedter) and he is a fairly blank slate (in the book he’s more controlling and manipulative) but he does provide the only safe space for her in the film without estrogen present.

I disliked the book because I felt it was another female-centric narrative where all men are trash and the only solution is for women to free ourselves of them. I don’t believe this is true nor do I find it particularly helpful for victim women who will be led to believe abuse is inevitable and loneliness is the only option. It’s certainly not something I find entertaining or edifying in any way as a single woman.

Like I said, the movie gives more humanity to Atlas so at least there is that but it still feels too ‘men suck, women rule’ for my taste.

Justin Baldoni makes for a hunky version of Ryle and the unreliable narrator aspect of Lily’s character is interesting especially certain sequences like a fall down the stairs but they wait a long time for him to get obviously violent so some viewers may feel whiplash with his character. I get that’s part of the point but it can feel frustrating when the movie seems to be saying we are fools for believing in the long romantic sections. I hate that!

The movie is well directed and made with Lively looking like a movie star. Jenny Slate is also fantastic as Ryle’s sister and Lily’s best friend.

It is kind of ironic that Lily is a terrible florist. Her designs look dead and like they are out of something from Corpse Bride not a chic Boston floral designer. I guess in a way that’s symbolic of the movie. It is presented as beautiful and empowering but looks dead and ugly. Either way It Ends with Us  is not for me. If it’s for you more power to you. I hope you enjoy it.

Frown Worthy

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