Justin Baldoni Reveals Replacing THIS Popular It Ends With Us Book Moment With an Easter Egg

As a lifestyle expert with a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for literature, I must say that Justin Baldoni has truly outdone himself with his directorial endeavor of adapting Colleen Hoover’s It Ends with Us. His sensitive approach to the material and his understanding of the emotional weight of certain elements, such as the iconic phrase “just keep swimming,” are commendable.


When treasured books make that inevitable screen transition, some dear elements inevitably get left behind. For Justin Baldoni, who directed and starred in the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s It Ends with Us, this challenge was quite real too.

In her own words, as stated in the book, “Although difficult, we must disrupt the cycle before it overpowers us.”

Viewers who cherished the novel were naturally disheartened when they discovered that the significant and repeated line “just keep swimming” wasn’t included in the movie’s script. However, Baldoni, mindful of the emotional impact of this phrase, found a clever method to honor it by incorporating subtle references, or Easter eggs, strategically hidden throughout the film.

As a die-hard fan, I can attest that Baldoni has always been open about his directorial challenges. In an engaging chat with CinemaBlend, he candidly admitted, “Directing this movie felt like one of the toughest tasks I’ve encountered in my professional journey. The weight of bringing Colleen Hoover’s cherished novel to life on the big screen was a massive responsibility I didn’t underestimate for a moment.”

Furthermore, he recognized that viewers would scrutinize his work closely due to the passionate and outspoken fanbase of “The It Ends with Us”. He acknowledged that this awareness would indeed bring an extra layer of pressure, as he knew they would be examining each frame meticulously.

On their Instagram page for “It Ends With Us“, Baldoni showcased how he incorporated tributes to significant scenes from the novel into the movie’s production.

“Baldoni mentioned that many fans cherished the phrase ‘just keep swimming’, which was from the book but not in the movie. This line had a special place among readers because it connected Lily and Atlas deeply. Recognizing the challenges of adapting a book into a film, Baldoni acknowledged the disappointment fans might feel, but assured them that their most treasured parts weren’t completely overlooked.”

Later, he subtly suggested that a poster in Lily’s room is a visual nod to a popular saying, providing fans with a subtle hint of something important that was absent from the movie’s conversation.

By subtly incorporating nods to Hoover’s work, Baldoni demonstrates his profound respect for its influence on him as a reader. “I enjoy adding subtle easter eggs in the movie,” Baldoni explained, recognizing that it’s impossible to include every detail from the book when adapting a beloved novel into a film.

Baldoni explains in the video that the film is brimming with Easter eggs and tactical details that strongly convey the message of “keep swimming,” without having to explicitly state it. These elements span from the subtlest, such as a soft toy resembling the clownfish from Finding Nemo, to the most obvious, which is evident in the restaurant scene where Lily and Atlas meet again, featuring a fish sketch accompanied by a quote about swimming onward.

Ultimately, it’s clear that taking on the task of directing a movie, particularly one based on a book with such an enthusiastic following, inevitably involves criticism and a significant burden of responsibility. It goes without saying that Baldoni aimed to capture the spirit of the book, though he may have done so subtly or indirectly.

Read More

2024-08-26 11:39