The film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel It Ends With has been highly anticipated, but recently, it has garnered interest not for the drama happening on screen but the drama happening behind the scenes. The film starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, who also directed the film, has seen a mix of public and private challenges as it moved toward release.
The story centers around Lily Bloom, portrayed by Lively, as she navigates an abusive relationship with Ryle Kincaid, portrayed by Baldoni. The film explores the complex relationship between love and abuse, along with personal growth and resilience, as Lily reflects on the past and confronts present challenges.
The film, which premiered Aug. 19, has been trending for its portrayal of domestic violence and complex emotional themes. Critics and fans alike have mixed reviews. Some praised the performance of Lively and Baldoni, while others were concerned about the film’s pacing and its ability to capture the nuance of Hoover’s story.
Another conversation surrounding the film is how it handles the sensitive topic of domestic violence. Fans of the adaptation argue that the film brings light to a difficult subject and encourages discussions. Critics suggest that the film attempts to address the topic but falls short in its execution.
While trending for its tension on screen, the film has also been trending for the tension off-screen. Sources close to the production have said that there have been instances of tension between the cast and crew. Reports suggest disagreements have stemmed over creative decisions such as the film’s direction and specific scenes.
Baldoni, the director, producer and star of the film, has faced criticism for his multiple roles in the film. Sources close to the film say a primary source of tension was the creative differences between Baldoni and members of the cast. Some cast members were reported to have expressed concerns about conflict of interest affecting the filmmaking process.
Another source of tension is said to be Lively. Insiders suggested that her vision for the character did not align with Baldoni’s direction for the character.
Lively and Baldoni have maintained a professional demeanor in public and neither have released a formal statement addressing the reports.
It Ends With Us made a strong debut at the box office, earning approximately $25 million. This opening weekend reflected the high anticipation and the fan base surrounding the film adaptation. Despite the reported tension among the cast and crew, the film still managed to attract a substantial audience. The mix of positive and critical reviews, their solid box office performance, and the discussions happening on social media show that it has resonated with many whether in a positive or negative way.
Speaking on the drama surrounding the film, Piedmont University senior Sophie Haines says, “It made me less attracted to the film… Aside from the drama, it doesn’t interest me. I’ve seen clips on social media and it never left me wanting to see more.”
Like others who had not read the book, Haines was surprised to learn the film had to do with domestic violence, “I wish it was spoken about when promoting the film because it’s empowering for victims of DV to know what they are in for when going to a movie, on top of that it’s important that they are represented well.”
If you or someone you know needs assistance, call 1-800-799-7233 or visit the National Domestic Violence Hotline at www.thehotline.org.
