It Ends With Us | Movie Review

Taylor Swift It Ends With Us
Let's start with the music. As a Indian Cinema lover I can tell you that Taylor Swift’s 'My Tears Ricochet’ song is perfect for the vibe and energy of this movie. If this movie would have had an album like every Indian movie, then this song would have been the main song that would attract people to the cinema and would give the overal feeling they would leave the theatres with. The other songs or background scores did not make a mark on me personally. Great choice, and a good collaboration with Taylor Swift on this one. 

Chemistry between the lead actors
The main characters of this movie are Ryle, Lilly and Atlas. I feel there was little chemistry coming from Lilly towards Ryle. The blushing of Lilly in the presence of Ryle seemed forced. Lilly biting on her lip and laughing seemed off and awkward. Ryle also seemed so what uncomfortable around Lilly. 

The love scene that should have shown the growing intimacy between Ryle and Lilly was missing. The romantic scenes where in the movie so you could feel the characters grow towards each other, but that did not work out. The spark wasn’t there in Ryle’s and Lilly’s body language. The proposal was also random and unromantic in the hospital. I mean his sister just delivered a baby and he is proposing to Lilly? Can someone tell me if that was also the scenario in the book? It was not engaging at all. 

The entry of Atlas and the look Lilly gave Atlas THAT IS chemistry. The chemistry of accidentally meeting your first love, or the one that got away. That was the chemistry between Lilly and Atlas. You kinda find it depressing for Ryle and could somehow relate to his obsession of ‘anyone but him’. If we as an audience can see the love in Lilly's eyes for Atlas and just zero chemistry with Ryle, then you feel sorry for the guy.  His girl got a tattoo on her body for her first love, her first love dedicates a restaurants name to a prior conversation years ago. I mean that could make any neurosurgeon with a Kincaid name insecure and ready for battle. Note: Violence towards anyone is not good. 

Domestic violence
Hearing about the buzz of the movie you would expect more focus on the internal conflict of humans considering domestic violence, but the focus of the movie was more based on the love Lilly has for Atlas with an understandable obsession from the soon to be husband (Ryle). I was waiting for the domestic violence scene, and the romantic twist between Lilly and Ryle but they were disappointing big time! 

I have read online what this book means to Colleen and how she has written the emotional conflict of Lilly considering Ryle and the emotionally burden he puts her through. I could not see that in the movie. It all starts with the fact that Lilly and Ryle did not have a good build up for a love chemistry. What would make Lilly stay with Ryle after every abuse? Every domestic violence scene was a blur and honestly not engaging. She clearly felt more attracted to Atlas, and made Ryle a side character. 

Lilly knew what domestic violence was and what it looked like. She got support, acknowledgment and encouragement from everyone around her. She even got the acknowledgment of her abuser and his sister Allysa (Jenny Slate). I feel this movie is also for everyone who sees domestic violence happening around them and reminding them to not gaslight the situation or prioritise the abusers emotion. 

Younger Lilly and Atlas
Shout out to the younger Lilly and Atlas. We can not end the review, without acknowledging the younger Lilly Bloom (Isabela Ferrer) and Atlas (Alex Neustaedter) in the flashbacks. I was impressed by the acting of Isabela. She not only portrayed Lilly Bloom but also mirrored the acting of the actor Blake. The mannerisms of Blakes acting as Lilly was portrayed by Isabela perfectly. The biting on the lip for example. She did act a bit better with portraying her love and internal conflicts. Alex and Isabela had good chemistry. If they ever want to make a story about how Lilly and Atlas's love story started, then these two should be recasted. 

Marketing
People say this movie is marketed in two ways. My opinion is, that this movie is promoted the way you will experience the movie. How Blake is promoting it, not highlighting domestic violence, that’s exactly how you will experience the movie from her perspective (character). I was kind of anticipating the romantic drama, ways of how the domestic violence would be portrayed and how Lilly would overcome it. While waiting for it and watching it happen, I was kind of disappointed that it was cut off and blurry and that the story went back to the love triangle. There was no internal conversation with herself or anyone about what she was experiencing. 

Justin promoted the movie focusing on the empowerment of women who are experiencing- and have experienced domestic violence. The essence of the movie was shown in the last 30 minutes of the movie. The last 30 minutes of the movie was also the most engaging part. Lilly seeking support and getting that from the people around her. The most powerful moment must have been the look Lilly gave herself in the mirror. People experiencing domestic violence know that the abuse builds up and with every event shown you can see it evolving. The stages of questioning yourself, knowing what happened and then the choice you make: ‘is it harder to hold on, or to let go?’.

I must say this movie is written and portrayed in a romantic way to get out of an abusive relationship. 9 out of 10 times it is not so easy to get out of domestic violence as portrayed in the film. Leaving your child with your abuser? No go. If you are expecting to see an emotional struggle and situation where she is stuck in the relationship, you will be disappointed. It is actually a chick-flick with a good message to the target audience. A good way to get the girls in cinema to project a serious issue. Justin and Blake should shake hands soon and be friend again for the next part.

Le Paanch Sitare gives out ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 out of 5 stars for 'It Ends With Us'. It was a good movie, with a good message. It can be an eye-opener for anyone who sees an abusive relationship in their friend circle or family. The way she got out of the abusive relationship was a little too good to be true. But hé, maby the abusers will be inspired to just let go after watching this movie.

DO PATTI

A note: If you are interested in a good movie focused on Domestic Violence with a romantic angle.
Do watch the movie Do Patti | Movie Review! 

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