Summary
- It Ends With Us‘ film adaptation explores abusive relationships with a focus on breaking the generational cycle of violence.
- Director Justin Baldoni makes bold changes from the book, cutting ties with an abusive character to empower protagonist Lily.
- The movie hints at Lily’s possible future with first love Atlas, highlighting a feminist approach to wrapping up the story.
As a woman who has experienced her fair share of toxic relationships, I found the adaptation of “It Ends With Us” to be a breath of fresh air. The decision to cut ties with Ryle completely in the movie was a powerful statement that resonated deeply with me. It’s not often we see such a decisive and empowering move on the part of the woman, especially when it comes to abusive relationships.
Netflix has introduced another film or TV series based on a book to their collection, and as these adaptations often spark discussions about accuracy, Netflix’s recent high-profile adaptation has ignited passionate debates among viewers and experts in the field.
Under the direction of Justin Baldoni, the film “It Ends With Us”, released on August 9th, is adapted from Colleen Hoover’s beloved best-selling novel. Given that Hoover, known as the Queen of Booktok, wrote it, it’s expected that viewers may have diverse perspectives, and some might be taken aback by certain elements of the movie, such as its conclusion.
The movie adaptation showcases the tale of Lily Bloom, played by Blake Lively, where we follow her journey. Due to her abusive father, she lost touch with her initial lover. Eventually, Lily achieves her aspiration and opens a flower shop for herself.
In a surprising chance meeting, she comes across Ryle and initiates a romantic bond with him. At the outset, they enjoy a contented existence together, even exchanging vows in marriage. However, a dark twist emerges in their relationship as Ryle’s abusive tendencies become apparent.
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What Is the Overall Message In It Ends With Us?
“It Ends With Us is built on a sturdy romantic base, but it evolves into a far more profound and significant tale. Delving deep into the harrowing truths of domestic violence, the film emphasizes the struggles faced by those trapped in abusive relationships, while simultaneously depicting the immense courage required to escape.”
The movie narrates Lily’s life story across two time periods, providing a base and a deeper insight into Lily’s lifelong struggle with abuse. Throughout numerous years, she has seen her father’s violent actions towards her mother. In adulthood, however, Lily finds herself trapped in a similar cycle of abuse when her spouse exhibits the same patterns of behavior.
It isn’t until she unexpectedly encounters her former lover, Atlas, that she comes to understand she’s been trapped in a pattern of domestic violence passed down through generations. Her primary aim is to break free from her damaging past by ending her relationship with her abusive spouse and working towards a more wholesome connection with herself, her child, and potential new partners – focusing on self-improvement and love.
A Lightning Rod for Debate
Since the publication of the novel “It Ends With Us” in 2016, many readers have raised questions about the author’s handling of sensitive subjects, sparking controversy around the book. Both the book and movie versions have been at the center of intense discussions, despite some alterations made in the movie adaptation. Remarkably, these changes seem to have introduced a more feminist perspective into the narrative.
It Ends With Us Movie Ending, Explained
Instead of the book, which showed Ryle and Lily seemingly dealing with their abusive relationship and Ryle remaining in Lily’s and her daughter’s life, albeit without a romantic connection, the film presents a distinct depiction of how Lily’s story unfolded. Initially, this portrayal wasn’t the original intention of the director.
At the start of her pregnancy, Lily breaks up with Ryle because of his abusive actions. As the months progress, she deliberately avoids him and allows him to visit only when she is putting together their unborn daughter’s crib. Although he appears to behave like a caring husband and father-to-be, Taylor Swift’s song “My Tears Ricochet” subtly reveals that Lily has decided to end things for good.
Ryle returns when Lily delivers their daughter, and again, he stands by her with all his resources. Despite appearing supportive, Ryle conceals his abusive nature, which only Lily is aware of. However, in the presence of others who believe they are witnessing a content family, Lily remains steadfast and doesn’t allow the bittersweet emotions to derail her.
When only the three of them are together, Lily confides in Ryle that she plans to name their newborn either Emerson or Emmy – a name that belonged to Ryle’s late brother who met an unfortunate accident at a young age, and was unintentionally caused by Ryle. Moved by this thoughtful choice, Ryle takes their daughter into his arms and expresses his intention to support both Lily and their child.
A Massive Shift From the Source Material
The scene that unfolds is where the book and film significantly diverge. In an interview with The Wrap, Baldoni expressed his discomfort with sticking to Hoover’s book’s narrative, as he felt it was inappropriate not to delve deeper into the reasons for allowing Ryle back into Lily’s life within the film. He believed that without providing enough explanation, it would seem unjustified.
During the discussion about Ryle seeking therapy and personal growth, the director remained uncertain if this resolution was sufficient. As a result, it was decided to sever ties with Ryle completely. Meanwhile, in the hospital room, Lily communicated her intention for a divorce.
Her method of addressing the issue is incredibly impactful, as she skillfully links it to their shared concern for their daughter. She poses a question to Ryle, asking him how he would respond if their daughter confided in him about an abusive spouse. This moment becomes a source of strength for Lily, as Ryle recognizes his role as an abuser, yet deeply regrets the idea of his own daughter encountering such harm. In that instant, it seems as though Ryle acknowledges and accepts the consequences of his actions.
After some time, Lily is depicted meeting Atlas again, and she reveals to him that it’s just her and her child now. There seems to be no mention of Ryle being involved, suggesting that she gained full custody of their daughter and chose to distance herself from him. Furthermore, when Lily inquires about his romantic life, Atlas responds by saying he isn’t currently seeing anyone romantically.
This suggests strongly that they might be destined for each other in the future. As he openly admits to not currently being involved with anyone, but now seems eager due to her presence, it implies a potential romantic connection. Although their love story may remain unresolved, their brief interaction carries significant weight.
In essence, parting ways with Ryle shortly after he meets his daughter for the first time might seem extreme compared to the shared custody scenario in the novel, but it is a healthier, more feminist conclusion to Lily and Ryle’s story. With Emmy’s arrival, Lily has mustered the strength to break free from this cycle of abuse that has spanned generations, providing them both with an opportunity to live contentedly.
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2024-08-24 01:31