#SheReviews: It Ends With Us – Ruth Greening

I thought it rather ironic that last week I attended the much-needed fundraiser for the Allison Baden-Clay (ABC) Foundation whose Strive to be Kind campaign is about educating the community about family and domestic violence and how to empower them to aid in prevention. Their campaign has since advanced in recognizing the Toxic Love Signs.

Then, thanks to Sony Pictures and She Society I attended the preview of It Ends With Us this week. Based on Colleen Hoover’s novel, and her own experiences as a girl, I soon recognized the same toxic behaviours in the storyline. I was fortunate to read Hoover’s book just in time for the viewing. 

Walking into the foyer of Event Cinemas Mt Gravatt, I was taken aback by the magnificent flower display by event-themed gurus Rob from @showtime_au and Melanie from @melaniejaneweddingsandevents. Naturally, I needed to have my picture taken standing amongst the sweet-smelling fresh flowers emulating Lily Bloom’s Florist shop, one of the major settings in the film. We were treated to wine, cocktails and delicious cookies from Brooki Bakehouse. 

The film reflects Collen Hoover’s story well and is so true to life.  I could not help but feel sad recognizing the commonalities between  It Ends With Us and the tragic true story of Allison Baden-Clay. It is indicative of how many women globally, including a minority of men, are caught up in abusive relationships that superficially appear to be normal to the general public. 

It highlights the difficulty of why it is not so easy to up and leave someone you love, even when deep inside you know you should.  The film’s transparency presents us with an understanding of the many layers of abuse that can occur such as physical, emotional, sexual and technological, also mentioned on the ABC Foundation web page.

 It Ends With Us touches on subjects many prefer to ignore. I highly recommend both men and women attend this emotional, well-acted film.  Blake Lively (Lily Bloom) is wonderful and perfectly cast for the role. This is sure to be a box office hit. 

I have purchased the second book It Starts With Us and yes, the first book is It Ends With Us. Once you see the film you will understand. I hope there is a sequel. 

The Story

It Ends With Us, the first Colleen Hoover novel adapted for the big screen tells the compelling story of Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), a woman who overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life in Boston and chase a lifelong dream of opening her own business.

A chance meeting with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) sparks an intense connection, but as the two fall deeply in love, Lily begins to see sides of Ryle that remind her of her parent’s relationship. 

She is more than aware of domestic violence after witnessing her mother’s years of abuse by Lily’s father and one would think she would read the signs.  As happens in true life, nothing is that simple.

When Lily’s first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), suddenly re-enters her life, her relationship with Ryle is upended, and Lily realises she must learn to rely on her strength to make an impossible choice for her future, particularly with the twist at the end.

Cast & Crew

Starring: Blake Lively, (Lily Bloom)  Justin Baldoni (Ryle Kincaid), Jenny Slate (Allysa), Hasan Minhaj (Marshall), Amy Morton (Jenny Bloom), Brandon Sklenar (Atlas Corrigan), Alex Neustaedter (young Atlas Corrigan), Kevin McKidd (Andrew Bloom), Isabela Ferrer (young Lily Bloom), 

Directed by Justin Baldoni

Writers: Christy Hall, Colleen Hoover

Exclusively in cinemas from August 8, 2024.

#ItEndsWithUsMovie   @sonypicturesaus   @vethaakmedia   @ikapture2 @shesocietyau #shesociety https://www.allisonbadenclayfoundation.org.au/toxic-love-signs/