“It Ends with Us” is a dramatic movie directed by Justin Baldoni starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. It is written by Christy Hall. Based on the novel by Colleen Hoover.
We’ve all encountered those films that ambitiously aim to construct a social commentary and then mold the narrative and characters to fit that central thesis. “It Ends with Us” is one such film, laden with clichés and, when it tries to pivot toward a more serious and transcendental tone, it finds itself too late to make a meaningful impact.
Blake Lively, an exceptionally talented actress, brings a compelling character to life with her remarkable performance. However, even her prowess cannot salvage a script that seems more intent on highlighting a grave issue—male violence—than on creating a genuinely captivating cinematic experience.
About the Film
“It Ends with Us” boasts solid production values and a talented cast, launching from a foundational concept aimed at exposing a violent reality many women endure. Such films often run the risk of succumbing to excessive dramatization, over-exaggeration, and sweeping generalizations. In doing so, they risk sidelining their primary characters, reducing them to mere vessels for the overarching idea. Unfortunately, “It Ends with Us” falls into all these pitfalls, immersing itself in overwrought melodrama, dramatic music, and heightened emotions at the expense of cinematic depth.
The script and the conceptual framework falter more significantly than the acting, the direction, or the pacing. Nonetheless, if you’re in search of a drama that invites tears and allows you to be swept away by emotions in the simplest manner, “It Ends with Us” offers such an opportunity. It resembles an almost made-for-TV movie that fails to achieve its grand ambitions, falling short of delivering a convincing cinematic experience.
In summary, while Blake Lively’s performance is commendable, “It Ends with Us” does not transcend its melodramatic tendencies to offer a truly profound or satisfying film experience. It remains an earnest yet ultimately flawed attempt to tackle a significant issue.
