Those reading this who are in their 50s and 60s will remember the television advert for the Guardian newspaper, in which a tattooed skinhead is chasing an older business man down a suburban street. One assumes that he is going to mug him, but then the camera angle changes and one sees that overhead building debris is about to fall on him. The skinhead’s intention is simply to save the man from harm.
This technique is employed in the film, It Ends With Us, starring Blake Lively as Lily Bloom, and Justin Baldoni as Ryle Kincaid. The film is as renowned for what happened off camera as well as on it. Both stars sued each other after filming wrapped, she for sexual harassment and he for defamation.
The film tells the story of an abusive relationship. Lily is a florist and Ryle a neurosurgeon. Both are successful and they are in love. She moves into his loft in Boston. But he is jealous and has a temper. Early on we see Ryle strike Lily as if by accident when he burns himself taking a dish from the oven. The mood darkens rapidly. We see Lily fall down the stairs of their apartment block during a fierce argument between the couple. It seems that she has lost her step. But as she leaves the building we see the two incidents from a different camera angle as she replays them in her mind. He struck her deliberately. He pushed her down the stairs. She has been in denial and realises it.
Lily leaves Ryle. She gives birth to their child. While cradling her baby she tells her daughter, “It ends with us”. She is referring to the abuse.
Many people are in denial when in an abusive relationship. One feels shame and embarrassment about being abused by a partner. That someone you once trusted and loved has turned abuser is incomprehensible and heartbreaking. You make excuses for their abusive behaviour and demean yourself by doing so. You don’t want to see the camera angle which reveals the true narrative. But physical, mental, emotional or financial abuse is never acceptable. You must find the strength to extract yourself from the relationship. And this is where we come in. We can help you. You can lean on us. We will get you through and ensure protection for you.
For sound, sensitive advice, contact our expert Family team on 020 8944 5290. It Ends With Us.