It Ends With Us Ending’s Major Change From The Books Amid Blake Lively Drama Explained

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As a die-hard fan who has read Colleen Hoover’s books more times than I can count and waited years for this movie adaptation, I must say that “It Ends With Us” was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride! The casting was spot on, especially Blake Lively as Lily Bloom. She captured the essence of a strong yet vulnerable woman who has faced her fair share of heartbreak and abuse.

Fans usually have lofty expectations when a cherished book gets adapted into a film, hoping to witness their beloved characters and scenes unfold as they had envisioned. And the movie “It Ends With Us,” which is based on Colleen Hoover’s blockbuster novel, is no different in this regard. Since its premiere, directed by Justin Baldoni and starring Blake Lively, it has evoked a wide range of feelings among viewers.

Many found themselves looking forward to the finale, yet others were taken aback by certain significant alterations, most notably the conclusion. We’ll delve into how the novel and film wrapped up differently and discuss the implications of such changes.

The storyline and characters

In a nutshell, “It Ends With Us” centers around the character of Lily Bloom, portrayed by Blake Lively. Her aspirations lie in establishing her own florist shop. Following a tumultuous childhood marked by an abusive father, Lily encounters Ryle, played by Justin Baldoni. Initially, their relationship appears blissful; however, Ryle’s aggressive tendencies eventually surface. The movie also introduces Brandon Sklenar as Atlas Corrigan, who reappears in Lily’s life and contributes to the narrative complexity.

Colleen Hoover’s book came out in 2016 and drew mixed reactions for its depiction of domestic abuse. While the movie adaptation effectively captures the spirit of the novel, it has introduced some significant alterations that have sparked a discussion among fans who admired the original ending of the book, causing debate.

The movie’s new ending

The significant shift in “It Ends With Us” lies in its conclusion. In the book, Lily and Ryle navigate their problems and jointly parent their daughter, with Ryle maintaining a restricted presence in their lives. While some readers felt this ending granted too much to Ryle, the movie opts for a contrasting narrative.

In a recent chat with TheWrap, Director Justin Baldoni shared some intriguing insights. He mentioned that initially, there was a scene where my beloved character Ryle would hand off our child to Lily, and they’d share a quick conversation. This was intended to highlight their growth over the years. However, in the final edit, the ending underwent a transformation to sensitively tackle the pressing issue of domestic violence.

“Justin stated that he wasn’t entirely at ease with it, and it seemed no one else was either. We were attempting to figure out a way to make it work while staying true to the book, but there simply wasn’t enough time to realistically depict them co-parenting within such a tight schedule.”

The film’s new approach

The film ends with Lily taking a firm step away from Ryle, choosing divorce after childbirth. When she poses the hypothetical question about their daughter returning home with an abusive partner, it forces Ryle to acknowledge his behavior. In this moment of truth, he acknowledges and accepts his destiny, departing from Lily and their child.

1. At the end, it’s evident that Lily is resolute about escaping the pattern of mistreatment and beginning anew. The film finishes with Lily encountering Atlas, which significantly strengthens her character and provides a more uplifting conclusion.

Why the change?

Baldoni chose to alter the finale in order to remain faithful to the story’s underlying theme. He noted that it’s common for abusers to revert to their destructive behaviors. Portraying Ryle as genuinely transformed seemed implausible without additional background, so he stated, “Based on our findings, we know most men return to being abusive. It didn’t sit well with us to present Ryle as changed because it wouldn’t align with the original message of the story.”

The closing scene of the movie sparked a variety of responses. While some audiences appreciated the firm stand against abuse, others felt it lacked the intricate resolution found in the original novel.

A new beginning

In the movie’s finale, Lily and Atlas reconcile, yet their subsequent path remains undecided. Contrastingly, the book provided a definite resolution to their relationship. However, unlike the book, the film suggests a vague hope rather than a definitive outcome. This approach reflects a more authentic portrayal of progress after experiencing trauma.

Blake Lively feels that the film effectively portrays the story from the book. She opines that reading the book prior to watching the movie will enhance your appreciation of it, while even watching the movie initially would leave you fond of the book as well.

What do you feel about the ending of It Ends With Us, do tell us in the comments.

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2024-08-25 13:11