Smoke Signals

Fans of It Ends With Us flocked to see the movie adaptation of a book that resonated with thousands of women, but many were left disappointed. The book tells the story of a strong woman who becomes a victim of domestic abuse. The movie, however, depicted a romanticized version of domestic violence with sexual undertones and consistent intimate scenes that subtracted  from what should have been the main focus. Additionally, the film depicted Lily as a much weaker character than the strong and brave woman portrayed in the book.

Adding insult to injury, during the movie’s press tour, Blake Lively’s remarks seemed insensitive due to the seriousness of the subject matter. Her attempts to turn the movie’s release into a lighthearted event were inappropriate, and her subsequent attempts to address the backlash through social media posts about the domestic violence hotline felt insincere. It’s disheartening to see such an important issue overshadowed by promotional efforts. Examples include her treating the press tour as a way to promote her haircare brand. The movie and her new haircare line are receiving lackluster reviews.

Instead of grabbing your “friends and florals,” as Lively tells women, take a moment to remember the following information: in the US, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men experience violence in their relationships during their lifetime, and around half of women and men in the US experience psychological aggression from a partner at some point in their lives. Additionally, 1 in 10 high school students experienced violence from a romantic partner in the past year.  Call 1(800)729-7233 if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence to get help. 

Save yourself money and two hours of your life you can’t get back; buy the book and take two hours to go help out domestic violence victims in your community.