This film had a lot going for it, but becomes a tearjerker melodrama misfire. Starring the gorgeous Blake Lively, two attractive sexy men, up-scale settings and revealing high-end fashions, there’s inauthenticity about the characters and the main theme, which is domestic abuse. The pace is slow with halting dialogue that prolongs the exposition. Based on the best-selling book by Colleen Hoover, with screenplay written by Christy Hall, the conversations became trite and awkward. But there is good attention given to the music choices throughout the film which help including Taylor Swift’s “My Tears Ricochet” which was first used in the film’s trailer.
Justin Baldoni directs while playing a very enticing male lead, Ryle. The scene of Ryle and Lily (Lively) meeting on the roof of a Boston high-rise is a semi-comical cat-and-mouse game with quick repartee that neither feels smart or believable. He has already displayed his temper before they even engage in conversation. There’s an attraction. She finds out that he’s a neurosurgeon but also interested in casual sex. He makes fun of her name, Lily Bloom, until he finds out that, of course, she came to Boston to open her own flower shop. And she makes fun of his assertion of being a neurosurgeon until he gets called in for surgery.
The plot is a succession of contrived events as Lilly sets up her flower shop, hires crazy new energetic employee, Allysa (Jenny Slate), who turns out to be Ryle’s sister. Slate provides some frantic comedy and then brother Ryle shows up at the shop to be, of course, her first rich customer.
When Lilly’s father dies, she’s reluctantly returns to Maine for the funeral which exposes painful memories of her father’s abuse to her mother, (Amy Morton). Back in Boston, she and Ryle start a passionate love life together, but the next contrivance occurs at their new favorite restaurant that just happens to be owned and operated by her first love, Atlas (Brandon Sklenar).
Their history told in flashbacks with young Lily (Isabela Ferrer) and young Atlas (Alex Neustaedter) dates back to high school with deep emotional, but also devastating memories. Now, Atlas is the compassionate support and anchor Lily needs, even when she doesn’t think she needs it.
Ryle has an undercurrent of hurt, violence and jealousy from his own childhood. When Atlas sees evidence of Ryle having physically hurt Lily, he flies into a rage to protect her.
It gets more and more emotionally involved from there with disturbing flashbacks of domestic abuse which frighten Lily as she sees history repeating itself with Ryle. Of course, there are complications Lily has to face and big decisions.
The lighting and extreme closeups fill the screen with beautiful people. Lively wears clothes we thought were too rich and revealing for her character, and she and Ryle’s love scenes are very steamy. We were surprised at the PG-13 rating. The film is just too long at 130 minutes, with what seemed like several endings. Lily finally comes to terms with her difficult situation, and you’ll be glad when she finally does. It all culminates in a monologue that really sums up the whole purpose of the film. It’s an outcry to women, young and old, including where victims can reach out for help. Important message, but a little overwrought.
Sony Pictures 2 Hours 10 Minutes PG-13
