IT ENDS WITH US***

Absent the controversy surrounding Blake Lively's press campaign, IT ENDS WITH US is a perfectly decently made relationship drama about a woman who finally escapes her husband's domestic violence.  It stars Lively as Lily Bloom  - an on-the-nose named heroine who grew up with domestic violence and is horrified when she realises she is in exactly the same situation. She was swept off her feet by a handsome surgeon (played by director Justin Baldoni) and caught up in a fun friendship with his sister (played by the wonderful comedienne Jenny Slate).  But what at first seem like unfortunate accidents - a reflex slap - a trip down the stairs - eventually become clear as deliberate acts of violence. This is all brought to the fore when Lily reconnects with her childhood sweetheart Atlas (absurd name again!) played by 1923's Brandon Sklenar.  

The film has been criticised for making domestic abuse look romantic or by falsely selling the audience on the content of the film. I am not sure a movie based on a major bestseller can be accused of misleading its built-in audience.  Moreover, it's important to recognise that these stories have a layer of romance and charm and charisma.  Domestic abuse victims are emotionally manipulated into believing that the abuser really does love them. It does start off feeling like a romance. Even in the immediate aftermath of violence there can be declarations of love and promises of redemption.  I also feel that Blake Lively does a really good job of conveying how a strong, smart woman can be gaslit and also start diminishing herself as she pre-emptively appeases her abuser. 

Overall I found this to be a well-made and engrossing film. If anything is unbelievable, it's how fast Lily has the strength to leave her husband. Maybe that can be explained by her childhood experience. But we know that in reality it takes domestic abuse victims a number of times before they finally get the courage and practical support to finally leave, if they ever do.  

IT ENDS WITH US has a running time of 130 minutes and is rated R. It is available to stream.

NO HARD FEELINGS*

 

NO HARD FEELINGS is a desperately ill-judged "comedy" in which Jennifer Lawrence attempts to be Amy Schumer and fails. It pains me that such a talented dramatic actress should waste her time trying to be something she is not - because she is not kooky or adept at physical or verbal comedy.  She stars in this film as a thirty-something commitment-phobe who is about to lose her family home.  Desperate, she answers a Craigslist ad to basically deflower a shy, much-bullied kid before he goes to College. Cue lots of awkward and unwatchable scenes where J-Law throws herself at the petrified teen who rightly deploys pepper spray.  He actually is a sweet kid, and as played by the talented Andrew Barth Feldman, is the only thing hooking us into the heart of the movie. Ultimately, naturally, both of them grow through the experience.  She realises she needs to grow up and leave home.  He realises he needs to do the same. They end up as friends.  But what happens within the running time of the movie is just bizarre. I am not saying that a weird age-gap film can't work.  Just look at HAROLD & MAUDE. But J Law doing a nude comedy fight scene just wreaks of desperation.  Avoid at all costs.

NO HARD FEELINGS is rated R and has a running time of 103 minutes. It is available to rent and own.