A film that stepped off the big screen 🎥 to bring to the table a series of topics that prove reality is stranger than fiction. 😪
I had zero interest in watching this movie, but I finally gave it a chance. While I don’t regret it, the story leaves you with a bittersweet feeling and a heavy heart because of everything surrounding it.
Breaking the Circle
This movie revolves around the romance between Lily Bloom (Blake Lively) and Riley Kincaid (Justin Baldoni). They met in a very casual way—Lily is a beautiful, somewhat bohemian woman chasing her dream of opening her own flower shop. Riley, on the other hand, seems to have a dream life: he is successful and "handsome." Their chemistry sparks quickly.
Despite how easily they connect, as the story unfolds, we see flashbacks of Lily’s past, marked by family issues and her first love. As for Riley, everything seems perfect—he has a reputation for avoiding commitment and constantly changing partners, but things seem different with Lily.
Aesthetics
I always like to talk about the visual aspects of movies because they catch my attention. In this case, flowers play a key role in the film, which, by the way, is based on a novel by author Colleen Hoover.
I really liked the autumnal color palette—dark hues combined with the presence of flowers create a romantic atmosphere throughout the film.
I believe there’s a metaphor in the film’s promotional poster, where Blake Lively is shown with flowers intertwined in her hair. It’s as if Lily herself is a flower, and they hold a subtle yet powerful significance in the narrative.
WHAT I LIKED
When it comes to the narrative thread, there’s a sort of haze surrounding Lily and Riley’s story. Everything seems as sweet as honey 🍯 in a beehive—they are a passionate, attractive couple with undeniable chemistry.
But there’s something particular about Lily—she always seems confused 🤔. In certain scenes, her expressions, nervousness, or insecurities don’t fully make sense, hinting that something isn’t as perfect as it seems.
The flashbacks to her teenage years and the domestic abuse she witnessed are clear signs that Lily is in trouble. In a way, she is reliving her mother’s life. A circle.
Later, when the movie reaches its climax, we finally meet Riley—his obsessive actions, his lies, his jealousy, and his justifications. I can say that Baldoni delivered a stellar performance; I completely believed all his violence, and I even felt fear.
Another thing I liked about the film is that it highlights the importance of a support network. Lily is not alone. She needs to reach her breaking point to realize she must leave, but when she does, there are hands to catch her. And that is extremely important because, in real life, that makes all the difference.
PUBLICITY & DRAMA
I knew the film was about domestic abuse. However, in multiple instances, this theme was treated as secondary, which, in my opinion, diminished its impact significantly. It’s a topic that should continue to be addressed, and cinema is a powerful medium to send messages about these harsh realities that, unfortunately, are still part of everyday life.
But beyond the film’s central theme, what has received the most publicity is the personal drama surrounding its production, led by Justin Baldoni. The director and the actress are facing off over multiple accusations, including "sexual harassment," "defamation," and more.
Who is right? That remains to be seen, as both have presented evidence that contradicts each other. The truth is that this controversy leaves us with heightened expectations for a possible sequel. 🥲
If Blake's accusations are true, then Baldoni brought abuse into real life, which is heartbreaking. It’s sad that these issues come to light suddenly amid a "box office success," turning everything into a scandal that overshadows the hard work of the actors.
CONCLUSION
I think it’s a good and entertaining movie with a powerful message. However, I was bothered by how little attention was given to Atlas, despite him being such a special character for the protagonist and playing a key role in the story’s resolution. Maybe they planned to explore both characters more in a sequel, but we won’t get to see that on the big screen.
The good thing is we can always read the books 📚 and get the full story. This seemed like a great cast, but well… things happened. 🥲
I’d rate it 6.5/10 because one thing I didn’t quite get was Lily’s character structure. She’s portrayed as this bohemian, romantic girl, yet at times she dresses like a total diva. 💅 That felt a bit out of place. Plus, there were reports that she was her own stylist and wore outfits that weren’t always approved. 🙆
