As a fan of powerhouse performances and compelling stories that resonate deeply, I have to say that Justin Baldoni‘s portrayal of Ryle in “It Ends With Us” is nothing short of extraordinary. His dedication to authenticity and his sensitivity towards the subject matter are truly commendable.
Readers familiar with Colleen Hoover’s acclaimed novel, “It Ends With Us,” recognize that it delves not only into the romantic tale of Lily Bloom (portrayed by Blake Lively) and Ryle (Justin Baldoni), but also sheds light on the more challenging aspects of their relationship.
Baldoni took on dual roles as director and actor in the project, portraying an abusive character. He confided to The Hollywood Reporter during the film’s New York premiere on Tuesday that depicting scenes of gender-based violence was extremely challenging for him.
Baldoni shared that there were numerous instances when he had to retreat to a private space, often to shed tears or release tension, trying to expel the intense emotions and feelings that overwhelmed him, as they felt incredibly genuine. He emphasized that many individuals, like true-life Lily Blooms, face such struggles daily. His intention was to portray these scenes as authentically as possible, but he found it extremely challenging to do so, and even now, just thinking about it remains difficult for him.
“To pull off those challenging scenes, I had an exceptional intimacy coordinator, a skilled stunt coordinator – both women – and then there was Blake. In truth, these three remarkable women were responsible for planning and guiding through those intimate moments since I needed to portray Ryle. During those instances, I must admit, I wasn’t the one directing; rather, it was those women who were in control. From the start, I wanted all intimate scenes to be viewed from a female perspective, avoiding any potential bias on my part from influencing the film. So, I chose to step back, feel everything, and do my best to let go of the directorial responsibilities.”
Additionally, Baldoni shared his pathway to portraying Ryle, which initially started as a desire to direct only. He confessed, “I believe deep within me, I’ve always wanted to give acting a try, but I was scared and held myself back from dreaming or even considering that I could do it. I never wanted to jeopardize the movie or this book.”
Afterward, Hoover sent an email proposing the idea of Baldoni acting in a film, stating she envisioned him as Ryle. “I believe that her faith in me allowed me to trust myself,” Baldoni said. “After contemplating for quite some time and discussing it with my wife, I made up my mind during the development stage, about two years later, that I would take on the role.”
At the premiere of the film inspired by her parents’ relationship, Hoover herself was present. She shared that she experienced the movie for the first time right beside her mother. “She wept throughout the entire film, and after we had a lengthy embrace,” the writer disclosed, adding that it was an incredibly poignant moment, completing a full circle.
It Ends With Us is in theaters on Friday.
Neha Joy contributed to this report.
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2024-08-07 20:54