The Stream: Marketing this movie as a romance seems like a trick.

The Big Screen: Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni make a beautiful couple.

The Final Bill: Good performances and interesting editing elevate this Lifetime-quality material.

– Trip Fontaine
Director: Justin Baldoni
Writers: Christy Hall based on a novel by Colleen Hoover
Stars: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate, Brandon Sklenar
Genre: Drama, Romance
Rating: PG-13 for domestic violence, sexual content and some strong language.
Runtime: 2 hours 3 minutes
Production Companies: Wayfarer Studios, Sony Pictures Television, Saks Picture Company
Platform: In theaters August 9, 2024
Notable Trailers: Wicked, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, Never Let Go

Hey, Streamers! As the summer winds down, you may need a nice palette cleanser from all of those sequels, action-blockbusters and creepy thrillers. Here’s one that might do the trick. We were able to catch up on It Ends With Us, which is based on a best-selling novel by Colleen Hoover and has been promoted as a breezy. It is different from the rest of the summer movies, but things aren’t what they seem. In this movie, Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), a flower shop owner, meets a handsome neurosurgeon, Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni). They have immediate chemistry, but Lily and Ryle’s whirlwind romance isn’t all that it seems. When Lily’s high school sweetheart, Atlas (Brandon Sklenar), shows up, things get more complicated for Lily as she forced to deal with the problems in her relationship with Ryle. Dead flowers and foggy memory hijinks ensue.

It Ends With Us has some good things going for it. First, Justin Baldoni and Blake Lively make a beautiful, aspirational couple. The movie highlights how good-looking these people are. Of course, these two people would have instant chemistry. In fact, the movie is shot very beautifully. It has a breezy, autumnal quality that you would want from your romantic movies. The setting looks warm and inviting. The word lush comes to mind. On that same note, Blake Lively brings great charm and sensitivity to her role as Lily. It is a very good performance that helps the audience look past some contrivances and questionable moments. Lily is a sympathetic character and Lively taps into that quite well. Lastly, I’ll say that the editing of the story is interesting. Without any spoilers, the editing drops breadcrumbs about Lily’s history and hides truths about the current situation that adds to the intrigue of the overall story. Without these editing tricks, I fear this movie would be pretty obvious and boring.

On that note, It Ends With Us is not a romance as it is marketed. It is a romantic drama at best and a weepy, melodrama at worst. Once you find out what this movie is really about, you’ll be looking for the Lifetime logo in the bottom of the screen. Justin Baldoni is the director of the movie as well as the lead actor, and he’s done a good job of turning a television-movie story into a feature film. However, it still is pretty predictable and cliche even. I think the good things about the movie outweigh the bad, particularly Blake Lively, so I can forgive the bait-and-switch – I guess.

Ultimately, It Ends With Us is a good romantic melodrama, but don’t go into this movie expecting some epic romance. The acting, cinematography and editing make this a feature film that elevates the Lifetime-quality of its material. If you’re not annoyed by the bait-and-switch, then you should grab a bowl of popcorn for matinee at the theater. It’s not a date movie though, so be warned.