Quick Links
- What Is It Ends With Us About?
- The Controversial Novel Behind the Movie
- Justin Baldoni’s Attempt at Redemption
As a seasoned film enthusiast who has seen my fair share of love stories, I must admit that the upcoming movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s controversial novel, “It Ends With Us,” has piqued my interest. Having followed the tumultuous journey of this book on social media platforms like Booktok, I am well-versed in the heated discussions surrounding its portrayal of domestic violence and toxic relationships.
After numerous years of thriving popularity on social media platforms and bestselling books, author Colleen Hoover is now translating one of her pieces for the big screen. Her most renowned novel, “It Ends With Us”, initially published in 2016, is serving as the blueprint for a film titled after the same name. The movie features Blake Lively in the main role, supported by Justin Baldoni and Brandon Sklenar. Notably, besides playing one of the leading roles, Justin Baldoni, famously recognized from the television series “Jane the Virgin” and the drama film “Five Feet Apart”, is also directing “It Ends With Us”.
During its production phase, the movie adaptation encountered significant resistance due to the novel’s contentious portrayal of sensitive subjects like domestic violence. Initially scheduled for release in May, Netflix postponed the film’s premiere until August 9, following a surge of criticism across social media platforms. Baldoni, aware that he might face additional controversy, decided to make a significant alteration to the characters, hoping to salvage the controversial novel. Let’s delve into the daring decision Baldoni made to reverse this narrative.
What Is It Ends With Us About?
The novel “It Ends With Us” follows the life of Lily, a resilient 23-year-old business owner portrayed by Blake Lively, who’s journeyed through hardships to achieve her success. Life appears to be smooth sailing for her, but an encounter with an attractive neurosurgeon named Ryle Kincaid at age 30 turns everything upside down. Charming beyond belief, Ryle captures Lily’s heart instantly.
In an unexpected turn of events, Lily’s ex, Atlas Corrigan, re-emerges, leading to a tumultuous scenario. Overwhelmed by jealousy, Ryle displays his aggressive nature, yet Lily persists in staying with him. This results in a harmful love triangle involving the three of them, and the emotional maelstrom only escalates the complexity of their intertwined relationships.
The Controversial Novel Behind the Movie
As a devoted cinema-goer and ardent fan of Booktok’s queen, Colleen Hoover, I must admit that her novel, “It Ends With Us,” has sparked some intense debates within our community. While many admire her raw, unfiltered writing style, it’s undeniable that Lily’s storyline stirs up controversy. Although supporters argue that they cherish her authenticity, the questionable elements of Lily’s journey are hard to ignore.
The novel suggests that Hoover may portray abuse and harmful relationships in a romantic light because her characters, like Lily, don’t assert their boundaries effectively. For instance, when Lily initially encounters abuse from her partner, she merely admits he has a harsh side instead of distancing herself. Even the reappearance of her ex-boyfriend should have served as a warning sign, yet there was no indication of self-realization. The book’s controversy stems primarily from its failure to empower both the character and readers by advocating for them to leave their abusers and take action against domestic violence.
Justin Baldoni’s Attempt at Redemption
In his deliberate choice, Baldoni decided to mature the characters in “It Ends With Us” by several years. This strategic move was carefully planned as he recognized that portraying a 23-year-old at the heart of the story might limit its appeal. Instead, he aimed to create a film that resonates with women from diverse age groups, steering clear of an overly dramatized portrayal of a potentially toxic relationship. By making this adjustment, Baldoni intends for every woman to find themselves reflected in the character, fostering a deeper emotional connection and potentially enabling them to identify with her experiences. This age increase broadens the potential audience, possibly transforming Lily’s story into a tale that transcends individual circumstances and speaks to a more universal truth.
Furthermore, Baldoni’s choice moves the narrative beyond the Young Adult category, thereby diminishing the likelihood of an excessive romantic glorification of Lily and Ryle’s relationship. In the YA genre, it’s common for readers to admire couples, even those with problematic bonds, as the audience is generally younger. However, by departing from this genre, Baldoni enables the story to develop in a more mature manner, with the main character having a richer background and personal growth.
As a devoted cinephile, I must admit that I initially raised an eyebrow when I heard about Baldoni’s decisions regarding Hoover’s book adaptation. However, it appears he took the criticism to heart when the book was finally released. Typically, alterations in the main characters don’t sit well with fans of a book. But in this case, these changes might have been what kept the movie from crashing and burning. So, I encourage you all to watch the trailer below and form your own opinions. After all, “It Ends With Us” will be available for streaming on Netflix starting August 9th.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-08-09 04:01