In an unfolding legal saga, Blake Lively has filed a serious complaint against “It Ends With Us” director Justin Baldoni, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation.
As the controversy around “It Ends With Us” heats up, various celebrities and close friends have come forward in support of Blake Lively. This comes after Lively’s legal move against her director and co-star, Baldoni, which she filed with the California Civil Rights Department. Among the supporters is the book’s author, Colleen Hoover, who took to Instagram to express her admiration for Lively’s honesty and kindness, sharing a heartfelt message and a photo with the actress. Hoover thanked Lively for her unwavering integrity, urging her never to change or “wilt.”
The film adaptation sees Lively as Lily Bloom, a florist entangled in a troubling relationship with a character played by Baldoni. The legal complaint, which surfaced through E! News and The New York Times, details Lively’s accusations of harassment on the film set. She claims that upon voicing her concerns, Baldoni retaliated by collaborating with crisis PR to tarnish her reputation. Baldoni’s legal team firmly denies these allegations, describing them as desperate and unfounded.
Meanwhile, the public spotlight also shines on how the film deviates from its source material, particularly concerning age portrayals and character roles. In the book, Lily is initially 23, but the cast members’ ages have shifted perceptions of their characters. While fans noticed these deviations, including the reduced role of the TV show host Ellen DeGeneres in the storyline, the author supported necessary changes for the adaptation.
Various celebrities voiced their support for Lively, including Amy Schumer, who simply stated “I believe Blake” on her social media. Gwyneth Paltrow also showed support by mentioning Lively’s new venture in haircare, adding a touch of endorsement alongside her supportive message during the media frenzy.
The narrative continues to diverge in how domestic violence is portrayed on screen compared to the book. The movie alters significant scenes involving Ryle’s character to fit cinematic storytelling, which might surprise book enthusiasts. Moreover, certain character elements, like Atlas’ thoughtful gifts, which play a significant role in the book, are underrepresented in the movie adaptation. This decision was influenced by time constraints within the film’s storyline.
Interestingly, Atlas’ restaurant, originally named Bib’s in the book, is called Root in the movie. The name change aims to resonate with the audience unfamiliar with the book’s deeper context, showcasing Atlas’s affection for Lily distinctly within the film’s framework.
The film sacrifices Lily’s detailed backstory involving her family and childhood experiences, opting for a condensed version to fit the movie’s duration. This approach significantly alters the narrative, focusing more on her adult relationship dynamics.
Despite these shifts from page to screen, the core of the plot surrounding domestic abuse and personal growth remains poignant, drawing attention to the issues at the heart of Lively’s condemnation of Baldoni’s alleged behavior.
The ongoing legal battle has sparked significant celebrity backing for Blake Lively, who continues to receive widespread support in her crusade for justice. As the film “It Ends With Us” garners attention, so does the conversation around its portrayal of sensitive themes, reflecting real-life struggles and artistic changes from the original story.
Source: Eonline
