Nur noch ein einziges Mal (It Ends with Us) 
U.S.A.
2024
Opening 15 Aug 2024
Directed by:
Justin Baldoni
Writing credits:
Christy Hall, Colleen Hoover
Principal actors:
Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate, Brandon Sklenar, Hasan Minhaj
Lily Bloom (Blake Lively) moves from her hometown Plethora, Maine, to Boston where she opens a flower shop. She meets neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni, who also directs the film) in her apartment house. He happens to be the brother of her best friend Allysa (Jenny Slate). Lily and Ryle develop a friendship which grows deeper until finally, 55 minutes into the film, they have sex and eventually marry. Allysa helps out in the flower shop although she “doesn’t like flowers.” Allysa’s partner is Marshal (Hasan Minhaj) and the four of them enjoy having dinner at the Root Restaurant. Not a good idea. The owner of the restaurant, and their waiter, is Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar) who happens to be Lily’s lover from their younger years. Lily and Atlas renew their affair and Ryle is jealous. There are arguments, which become violent. Also, what does this heart tattoo on her neck represent?
Lily has experienced domestic violence with her father Andrew Bloom (whose funeral is the film’s first scene). We see flashbacks of young Lily and Atlas, who, at that time, was homeless and Lily provided him with groceries. Based on the book by Colleen Hoover, the German title Nur noch ein einziges mal translates to “Just one more time.” The English title “It Ends with Us” does not refer to either of her relationships. What “ends” is domestic violence, when Lily moves into her own home alone with her new baby, i.e., “us.” Here, we have an opportunity to experience six talented actors (listed above) whom we will certainly see more often. Sadly, the storyline is repetitive and unoriginal, or, as my colleague said, “We see this every day on RTL German TV,” all in 130 minutes which are at least 20 minutes too long. We see beautiful scenes, supposedly of Boston, although actual filming was in New Jersey and New York. (Becky Tan)
