Chante JVR

⭐️⭐️✨

Adapting a beloved and emotionally charged novel like It Ends With Us is no small feat, and while the film captures some of the book’s poignant moments, the direction it took, and the behind-the-scenes drama overshadowed the movie itself. It feels rushed and overly simplified, losing much of the emotional impact that made the book resonate with so many readers.

The Story:

The film follows Lily Bloom (played by Blake Lively), a young woman navigating love, heartbreak, and personal growth while coming to terms with her past. Her relationships with Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) and Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar) form the emotional core of the story. While the movie stays true to the book’s broad strokes, it glosses over key moments that gave the narrative its weight.

What Works:

• Important Themes: The film retains the book’s exploration of domestic abuse and the complexities of love, making it a valuable conversation starter.
• Visually Polished: The cinematography is warm and inviting, effectively mirroring the highs and lows of Lily’s journey.

What Doesn’t Work:

• Pacing Issues: The film crams too much into its runtime, rushing through significant moments and leaving little time for emotional resonance.
• Simplified Narrative: The adaptation feels very surface-level. I’m not a big fan of the book, and believe the book was very surface-level as well, so this could necessarily not be the film’s part, but rather the work they’re adapting from.
• Lack of Chemistry: The relationships at the heart of the film don’t quite spark, making it harder to connect with Lily’s internal struggles.

Final Thoughts:

It Ends With Us is a well-meaning adaptation that doesn’t fully live up to the power of its source material. While it has its moments of emotional clarity and features commendable performances, it ultimately feels like a missed opportunity to delve deeper into the story’s complexities.

Would I recommend it? Fans of the book may want to check it out for curiosity’s sake, but newcomers might find it hard be confused as to the overall message of the movie.