It Ends With Us: The Biggest Changes Between Colleen Hoover’s Book and the Blake Lively Movie
Colleen Hoover’s novel It Ends With Us is a poignant exploration of love, trauma, and self-discovery. When the announcement came that the novel would be adapted into a movie starring Blake Lively, fans were both excited and apprehensive. The book, with its deeply emotional content, has a dedicated readership that was keen to see how the story would be brought to life on screen. As with many book-to-movie adaptations, some changes were inevitable, and the transition from page to screen brought about significant shifts in the narrative, character portrayals, and thematic emphasis. This essay delves into the biggest changes between Hoover’s novel and the Blake Lively movie adaptation, examining how these alterations impact the story’s core message.
Table of Contents
1. Character Age and Background Adjustments
One of the most noticeable changes in the movie adaptation is the adjustment of character ages and backgrounds. In the novel, Lily Bloom is a 23-year-old woman who has just moved to Boston after college to start her flower shop. The movie, however, presents Lily as slightly older, with more life experience under her belt. This change in age also reflects in her interactions with other characters, particularly Ryle Kincaid and Atlas Corrigan.
Blake Lively, who plays Lily in the movie, brings a maturity to the role that aligns with this adjustment. The decision to cast Lively, who is older than the book’s version of Lily, was initially met with mixed reactions from fans. However, the film justifies this by portraying a more seasoned Lily who has faced a different set of life challenges, making her eventual decisions feel weightier. The age adjustment adds a layer of complexity to Lily’s character, making her more reflective and perhaps more relatable to a broader audience.
2. Shift in Narrative Structure
The novel’s narrative is primarily first-person, with Lily recounting her experiences in a deeply personal and introspective manner. This perspective allows readers to connect intimately with her thoughts, emotions, and the internal conflict she faces throughout the story. The movie, however, opts for a more traditional third-person narrative, which shifts the focus from Lily’s internal monologue to a broader view of the events.
This change in narrative structure inevitably alters the storytelling approach. While the novel’s first-person narrative immerses readers in Lily’s psyche, the movie provides a more detached viewpoint, allowing viewers to observe the dynamics between characters from an external perspective. This shift might reduce the intensity of Lily’s personal struggles as experienced by the audience but broadens the narrative to include more visual storytelling, such as the portrayal of settings, non-verbal communication, and the emotional atmosphere.
3. Tone and Thematic Emphasis
Colleen Hoover’s novel tackles heavy themes such as domestic abuse, trauma, and the cyclical nature of violence. The book does so with a delicate balance, mixing moments of lightness and romance with the darker aspects of the story. The movie adaptation, however, places a stronger emphasis on the romantic elements, occasionally glossing over the more harrowing aspects of Lily’s relationship with Ryle.
This shift in tone has sparked debate among fans and critics alike. Some argue that the movie’s approach dilutes the novel’s powerful message about the complexities of abusive relationships, while others believe that the romantic focus makes the story more palatable for a wider audience. The decision to tone down the depiction of abuse might be intended to avoid alienating viewers, but it also risks undercutting the novel’s original intent of shedding light on the difficult choices faced by those in abusive situations.
4. Portrayal of Ryle Kincaid
Ryle Kincaid, one of the central characters in It Ends With Us, is depicted in the novel as a charismatic yet deeply flawed individual. His charm is gradually overshadowed by his violent tendencies, making him a complex antagonist in Lily’s life. In the movie, however, Ryle’s portrayal is slightly softened, with more emphasis placed on his internal struggles and less on his abusive behavior.
5. Atlas Corrigan’s Role
Atlas Corrigan, Lily’s first love, plays a crucial role in her life and in the overall narrative of It Ends With Us. In the novel, Atlas is a symbol of hope and safety, representing the possibility of a healthy, loving relationship. The movie, however, gives Atlas more screen time and expands on his backstory, making him a more central figure in Lily’s journey.
6. Ending and Resolution
Perhaps the most significant change between the book and the movie is the ending. Without giving away spoilers, the novel’s conclusion is both bittersweet and empowering, leaving readers with a sense of closure that aligns with Lily’s personal growth. The movie, on the other hand, opts for a more optimistic ending, providing a clearer resolution to Lily’s story.
The movie adaptation of It Ends With Us introduces several significant changes to Colleen Hoover’s original story. From character adjustments and narrative structure shifts to tone, thematic emphasis, and the portrayal of key characters, these alterations inevitably impact the story’s core message. While some changes may make the story more accessible to a broader audience, they also risk diluting the novel’s powerful exploration of domestic abuse and the difficult choices faced by those in such situations. Ultimately, the movie and the book offer different experiences, each with its own merits and drawbacks, leaving fans to decide which version resonates more with them.
