It Ends With Us: Learn About All The Major Changes From The Book

As a dedicated reader who devoured Colleen Hoover’s “It Ends with Us” in one sitting, I must say that the movie adaptation, while maintaining the core essence of the story, has certainly introduced some intriguing twists and turns that make it stand out on its own.

In a return to the silver screen after four years, Blake Lively takes center stage in the eagerly awaited movie titled “It Ends with Us.” This film adaptation comes from Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel of the same name. Directed by Justin Baldoni, this production follows the dramatic tale of Lily Bloom, a florist who unwillingly becomes ensnared in a difficult and abusive relationship.

Indeed, Baldoni portrays Bloom’s romantic interest in this motion picture. Although the film largely adheres to the book’s main plotline, it does incorporate substantial alterations. Would you be intrigued to discover these significant transformations that offer a novel perspective on the tale? Here’s an in-depth examination of all the major differences between the book and the cinematic adaptation.

A love that turns dark

In the novel “It Ends with Us,” Lily Bloom cherishes the dream of running her own flower shop, eventually realizing this ambition. A significant shift occurs in her life when she encounters and falls deeply in love with Ryle Kincaid. At the outset, Ryle appears to be an ideal partner, captivating and accomplished.

As their bond deepens, Ryle’s hidden dark characteristics start surfacing. Interestingly, the narrative takes a significant twist when Lily rekindles her connection with her childhood sweetheart, Atlas Corrigan, portrayed by Brandon Sklenar. Upon meeting Bloom, Atlas notices indications of abuse in Lily and advises her to break away from Ryle before the situation escalates further.

Lily’s perception of abuse

In the movie adaptation, Lily’s perception of Ryle’s abusive behavior differs from the book portrayal. Rapid cuts and misleading camera angles are employed in the film to depict Lily’s internal struggle. She grapples with whether Ryle’s actions were deliberate or unintentional—was it an intentional strike, or merely an accident?

Throughout the novel, Lily consistently recognizes and confronts Ryle’s abuse from the outset. She reprimands him following each occurrence, threatening to depart if he ever harms her again. Significantly, after a particularly violent episode, Lily endeavors to part ways with Ryle. However, she eventually forgives him, hoping for change. Regrettably, it’s when Ryle makes another attempt at assault that Lily ultimately decides to break away from him permanently.

The ending: book vs. movie

In the novel and movie, both conclude with Lily choosing to depart from Ryle, yet the specifics vary. In the book, following a prolonged, agonizing period, Lily consents to share parental responsibilities for their daughter, Emerson, with Ryle, although their marriage has ended. The story wraps up with a relatively tranquil setup, where Ryle continues to play a role in Emerson’s life. As the book ends, we witness Ryle and Lily harmoniously co-parenting their child, just prior to Lily rekindling her relationship with Atlas.

In the film, the conclusion is similarly heartwarming as Lily and Atlas reunite at a local market, opting to rekindle their relationship. However, the movie provides a significant, resolving scene for Lily and her mother, Jenny, who endured years of abuse from Lily’s father. Near the end of the storyline, Lily, Jenny, and Lily’s child Emerson pay a visit to Lily’s father’s grave.

Lily and Ryle’s ages

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share an interesting adaptation insight from the production of the film based on that popular book. Initially, some fans were taken aback when Blake Lively was cast as Lily due to a slight discrepancy in age – the character in the novel is described as a 23-year-old, while Blake is in her mid-30s. Interestingly, the on-screen Lily sports red hair and fair complexion, unlike Blake who is blonde. However, it’s noteworthy that the movie has chosen to age up both characters, making them more alike in terms of maturity, which I believe adds a unique dimension to their portrayal.

The movie’s creators, including director Justin Baldoni, have justified their decision in this regard. They pointed out that the extensive training required for Ryle to become a board-certified neurosurgeon necessitated casting an older actor. Additionally, they aimed to portray Lily as a seasoned and self-assured character.

Characters left out of the movie

In the process of turning a book into a movie, certain characters may be excluded to maintain a clear narrative focus. This is exactly what happens in the film adaptation of “It Ends With Us“. Unlike in the novel, the characters of Lily’s gay friend, Devin, and her former roommate, Lucy, are not part of the movie version.

In the book, Ryle initially plans to pop the question at his parents’ apartment, but due to their absence, he adjusts his plan. In the movie, this significant moment unfolds in Allysa’s hospital room right after she delivers the baby.

The absence of Ellen DeGeneres

As an over-the-moon fan, let me tell you about one unexpected aspect that left me spellbound in the book – Lily’s correspondence with the legendary Ellen DeGeneres! Throughout the story, young Lily pours her heart out in letters addressed to this beloved talk show host, using it as a therapeutic means to express her feelings. However, this heartwarming exchange is mysteriously absent in the movie adaptation. Rumors swirl that this omission stems from Ellen’s shift in popularity and the conclusion of her talk show in 2022.

In the film, there’s a subtle tribute to DeGeneres. This becomes apparent when Atlas makes his initial visit to Lily’s home, and she’s shown watching The Ellen DeGeneres Show on television.

2024-08-09 19:23