Blake Lively Shines in Powerful & Moving Drama It Ends with Us

By Cindy Martinez

It Ends with Us was based on the beloved best sellers book by Colleen Hoover. It was an emotional and empowering film. It highlighted the complexities of love, pain and difficult choices. The film was directed by Justin Baldoni, who also played a leading role alongside actress Blake Lively. The movie takes a deep dive into the challenges of relationship and personal growth. 

The story is centered around the main character Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), a young woman who follows her dreams to move to Boston to open her very own flower shop. She soon meets Ryle Kincaid (Jusin Baldoni), a successful neurosurgeon, and their relationship quickly heats up. While Ryle is charming at first glance, his true colors begin to show as the relationship evolves.  As Lily struggles with her feelings for Ryle, her first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandin Sklenar), comes back into her life, bringing back locked away memories and unresolved emotions. 

Lively delivers a phenomenal performance as Lily capturing the character’s strengths in the perfect light. She makes you feel the weight of Lily’s internal struggles and the emotional toll her choices have on her. Baldoni is equally as strong in his character of Ryle, he portrays both the loving partner and the darker side of his character. Their chemistry on camera is undeniable, making the ups and downs of their relationship feel believable and raw. 

One of the film’s strengths is how it approaches the topic of domestic abuse. It doesn’t oversimplify the stisituation, but instead shows the often painful decisions that someone like Lily has to make. The film shows how love and abuse can coexist making it clear on how leaving a toxic relationship is not always easy. 

Overall the visual of the movie was well executed. The details of the movie, the close up shots and capturing the characters’ emotions made all the motion of the movies all too real. The soundtrack in the movie also complimented the film’s tone without being overpowering, thus allowing the performance to take the spotlight. 

On the other hand some fans of the novel were a little disappointed by the cutting of scenes in the book not being in the movie. The film reminds us of the theme and the heartfeltness of the story. The key themes of love, forgiveness, reunitement and personal growth align with the emotional growth displayed in the book. 
It Ends with Us was a moving film and handled a difficult subject matter with care and respect. Lively’s performance in particular makes the film a hit. For fans of the novel or anyone who appreciates a heartfelt and emotional movie, It Ends with Us is definitely worth a try.