IT ENDS WITH US (2024) – Modern day romantic fairy tale with an atypical happily ever after

On the surface, this film, an adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel, is a straightforward romantic drama. Blake Lively plays the main character Lily Bloom in a role that allows her to showcase her talents and natural beauty. She succeeds in making her fictional character feel authentic and believable amidst the glamourous and picture-perfect settings. She is supported by two great looking guys Brandon Sklenar as her first love, and Justin Baldoni as her too good to be true neuro-surgeon lover. All perfectly cast to create the intended mood.

I have to say that the film takes its time to get to the real themes of the story on domestic violence and emotional abuse. These were hinted at in earlier flash-backs which all falls into place by the final act when all is revealed. I must admit that I did find this film to be more ambitious than the average romantic dramas with the direction that it takes the audiences to at the end.

It Ends With Us is one of this year’s most profitable and biggest box office hits! It grossed well over USD300 million worldwide against a production budget of merely USD25 million! Based on the huge success of the film I probably fall within the minority group who found the film’s conclusion problematic. I felt that the film’s ending was yet another obvious feministic nod to female power and empowerment. Am I the only one who felt that the step taken by Blake Lively’s character was too selfish? Was forgiveness and giving people a second chance not possible to create a happy ending for everyone rather than just for oneself? I also found that the story seems to promote a rather unrealistic notion of “the perfect lover” implying a possible happily ever after with a seemingly flawless person. It seems like a familiar path taken only with consequences that became apparent later on. Does that mean our Lily Bloom gets to reclaim her life again and again every time she faces adversity in her relationships? I was surprised to find that despite the feministic edge, the film was actually directed by a man, none other than the film’s hunky heartthrob Justin Baldoni!

Anyway, thankfully this is just a movie and I do appreciate the food for thought it provided.