Photo: Sony Pictures Discussion about the film “It ends with us”: Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) and Lily Bloom (Blake Lively) have a relationship marked by violence.
This is how the women’s advice centre Schattenlicht classifies the criticism
Discussions about the film ‘It ends with us’
Hardly any other film was talked about as much last week as the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel “It Ends With Us”. The film deals with violence in relationships.
The action takes place in Boston. Florist Lily Bloom (Blake Lively) falls in love with neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni). After initially being on cloud nine, the relationship soon turns into a nightmare for Lily. Ryle becomes violent towards her. In her childhood, Lily experienced first-hand what it means to grow up in a violent environment. Her mother was also regularly beaten by her father. At the time, she swore to herself that that would never happen to me, and now she is stuck in a similarly violent relationship with Ryle. She wants to find a way to get out of this situation.
Criticism of the marketing of the film
Since the film’s release, a discussion has flared up on social media, which is less about the film’s content than about its marketing. While director and lead actor Justin Baldoni has repeatedly spoken out about domestic violence in interviews and on social media, lead actress and producer Blake Lively has been criticized. Many people complain that she is promoting the film more like a feel-good movie or a romantic film, and that the serious subject matter is pushed into the background.
For example, she has been criticized on social media for her posts about the film. She calls on her followers to watch the film with posts like “Take your girlfriends with you and put on your floral dresses.” Many users agree that such posts are out of place when it comes to the topic of domestic violence.
‘Chance to understand the situation of those affected’
Photo: Sony Pictures Blake Lively as Lily Bloom has been criticized for her handling of the subject matter.
For halloherne, Annelie Gogolla from the women’s and girls’ counseling center Schattenlicht eV classifies the criticism of the film and speaks generally about the portrayal of violent relationships in films. “If the portrayal of domestic violence is treated sensitively in films, this basically offers a chance for people to understand how women affected by this situation feel,” explains Annelie Gogolla to halloherne.
She continues: “Many people are concerned with these central questions: Why doesn’t she break up? Why does she keep letting this happen to her? A film like this, which sensitively presents the topic, can help outsiders to better understand the situation.”
Romanticizing representation must be viewed critically
Photo: Faloco Photography Annelie Gogolla from the women’s and girls’ counseling center Schattenlicht classifies the criticism for halloherne.
Gogolla is critical of the trivializing marketing or the portrayal as a love story, as she herself observes in her prevention work with young girls what negative effects trends on social media can have. “It becomes problematic when the violence in the film is trivialized and romanticized and everything is in a kitsch bubble. This can then lead to young girls in particular romanticizing the content and getting the wrong idea about relationships,” says Gogolla.
This can lead to girls justifying controlling behavior in their boyfriends. “I often see in prevention work that young girls think it’s normal when their boyfriends are jealous or display controlling behavior. That’s the only way they feel truly loved, which is very problematic. Many girls – especially those who come from homes where there is no intact relationship – lack a good role model. That’s why such romanticized portrayals are very problematic,” worries the employee at Schattenlicht.
‘Controversial discussion can change perspectives’
In general, however, she thinks it’s good when the subject of domestic violence plays a role in films. “It’s good that the subject is being addressed and that it is being discussed controversially. That it is not being left as it is and that it is being made clear that it is problematic when it is staged as a feel-good movie or a romance with perfume and flowers. This whole discussion can lead to more people dealing with the subject,” concludes Annelie Gogolla.
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 | Author: Julia Blesgen