summary
- The movie is based on
We end up
The novels amplify their characters to reach a wider audience, reflecting the universal experiences of victims of domestic violence. - The film depicts a real-life cycle of abuse with Ryle, with the crew working with organizations to portray domestic violence authentically.
- The ending has been changed in
We end up
It offers a more realistic and impactful conclusion, and avoids the cliché of giving abusers a second chance.
The movie is based on We end up The film has arrived, and as with its BookTok debut, it has fans hyped. The film follows Lily Bloom (Blake Lively) as she navigates a tumultuous relationship with Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) while exploring her feelings for her first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar). The novel by Colleen Hoover has been controversial for its depiction of domestic violence and divided the internet when it was announced that the book would be adapted into a film.
Some welcomed the idea because it allowed Hoover to portray domestic violence respectfully and reflect on survivors and their experiences. As with any book-to-film adaptation, changes are made to the story to translate well to the screen, and the film was no exception. Director/star Baldoni and the screenwriters were intent on staying true to the book but were open to making necessary changes to bring the story to life. The creative team saw these massive changes as an opportunity to correct controversial elements of the novel. And create valuable messages for victims of domestic violence.
Characters age in It Ends With Us
We end up
3.5/5
- release date
- August 9, 2024
- The studio
- SAKS Pictures, Sony Pictures Television, Wayfarer Studios,
- Studios
- Columbia Pictures, Wayfarer Studios, Saks Picture Company
When it was announced that Lively would be joining the cast as Lily Bloom, fans were not thrilled. In the book, Lily is 23, Atlas is 26, and Ryle is 30. The casting does not reflect Hoover's original vision for the characters, and fans objected to the change. However, with Hoover's approval, Baldoni and the team agreed to change the age.The audience was introduced to characters in their mid-thirties. The writer and director had their reasons for changing these details in the film.
In an interview with Entertainment WeeklyBaldoni revealed that he always envisioned older characters in the film.
“I wanted women of all ages to be able to see themselves, and I think introducing the characters at an older age really helps make it a universal story, and takes it out of the genre of young adult novels.”
Hoover said today It was an opportunity for her to correct a mistake she had made when she first wrote the novel.
“No neurosurgeon is 28, right? You go to school for 15 years. And to make amends for what I messed up in the book, we made the characters a little bit older.”
Small details, such as the age of the story, can make a big difference in terms of the universal messages the film conveys. Taking aspects of youth out of the foreground It allowed the film to appeal to a wider audience.to reach women of all ages who are living the same journey as Lily Bloom.
Book vs. Movie: Nightly Reaction and the Ryle Blackouts
The depiction of domestic violence in the novel is horrific, and the creative team had an enormous amount of responsibility to adapt those scenes with as much respect as possible. The film adapts Lily's response and Ryle's questioning differently than Hoover originally wrote.In the book, Lily acknowledges Ryle's behavior as violent, and each time he acts on his violent impulses, she threatens to leave him. Readers of the novel have interpreted this as Hoover undermining the survivors and the reality of being in an abusive relationship and the difficulty and danger of leaving it. The film expresses the truth behind the mental state of women when they are in that environment. In the film, Lily denies Ryle's violent behavior, and as the story progresses, she comes to realize the severity of the abuse.
Related to
It Ends With Us Author Talks Controversy Over Casting Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in Adaptation
Finally, Colleen Hoover, author of It Ends With Us, addressed the backlash over the casting of Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in the film adaptation of her novel.
In the book, Ryle's responsibility, or lack thereof, is a controversial portrayal. He justifies his physical assaults as “fainting spells” and, therefore, he has no control over his actions when he suffers these spells. However, The film takes a different approach to Ryle's irresponsibility, as he is aware of his actions and can remember the events, and decides to manipulate Laila.Baldoni was determined to represent the cycles of abuse authentically, and did the research necessary to do what he set out to do. Working with No More, the creative team learned more about domestic violence and the psychological consequences that prevent survivors from breaking the cycle.
Lily and Ryle's End in “We End Up”
It's probably safe to say that even divided fans can agree that the movie's ending was changed for the better.Hoover's novel ends with Lily divorcing Ryle and deciding to raise their daughter together. This was seen as not only a danger to Lily, but also to their child. Allowing Ryle to be a part of their child's life, and thus Lily's, negates her departure. The domestic violence element of the book gives a somewhat happy ending and gives the impression that the abuser will not resort to violence again.
Related to
It Ends With Us Cast and Character Guide
It Ends With Us has rich characters, a heartbreaking story, and stars some of the biggest names in Hollywood, all of whom could bring such a story to life.
In an interview with The rollBaldoni explains the decision behind changing Rayle's ending and that the original script did not seem like a comfortable ending for him.
“The truth is, from our research and from our partners, we know that the majority of men go back to being abusive, and that's the truth.
So the best ending for Rayle was to look at his wife and his child, and the life he could have had, and the life he ruined, and then walk out the door and never see him again. And that, for me, was the best feeling I had in adapting the book and turning it into a movie was to say goodbye to him there.
In an interview with Delivery dateHoover agreed that the essence of the story was present despite the changes to her original vision.
“They changed some things, but overall, when I watch the movie, I don't feel like anything is missing.”
We end upThe Last Day starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni is now showing in theaters.
