The first feature-length film adaptation of a Colleen Hoover novel,It Ends with Us, debuted this weekend.
Lily soon realizes she must learn to rely on herself to make the best choice for her future.
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DEADLINE: Its like the year of Christy Hall betweenDaddioandIt Ends with Us.
It Ends With Us, Blake Lively as Lily BloomSony Pictures Releasing
What was the timing for writing these two films and dwelling in these different worlds?
Art is really hard and takes a very long time.
I actually wroteDaddioback in 2013/2014, but my spec script got passed around Hollywood in 201.
Christy Hall at the Deadline Portrait Studio at TIFF 2023Chris Chapman/Deadline
So thats whenDaddiobecame my bridge into Hollywood.
And that was the stepping stone to landing this job writingIt Ends with Us.
But it has been a very interesting last two years, for sure.
HALL:This started out as a really indie film.
And so, he was aware of not only my original work but also my ability to adapt.
And he reached out to me and said, I feel in my bones.
I had not read the book yet, but he said, You read it.
And hes like, I know youre going to want to do it.
And give me a call.
And thats exactly what happened.
I went away, sat with the book, and went on the journey.
I just fell in love with Colleen Hoover specifically.
I think shes extremely brave.
I really went on the journey, and I laughed and cried.
And so, he connected me with Colleen.
And then some of the areas that I wanted to continue to explore with her blessing, obviously.
Because if Colleens not happy, then whats the point?
Thats the North Star.
DEADLINE: How exactly did you work with Justin and Colleen while writing the film?
What went into delineating between the characters in the book for you and writing them for the screen?
So, early conversations about aging the characters up a bit happened.
She doesnt quite know how to draw boundaries yet.
She doesnt know how to say no.
I wanted to make it very clear that this is what I talked to Colleen about.
This is a story about this grown woman, she just launched her own business.
Shes funny, shes smart and shes self-realized.
I just wanted to make it extremely clear that its not because shes young.
Who wants to come in and read an early draft and give thoughts?
And I thought it was so incredible.
They brought in 15 to 20 fans, and then we printed scripts out that they could read.
We asked things like, What did you miss from the book?
What did you like about the changes that arent necessarily in the book?
We really got deep and under the hood.
Colleen was sitting right beside me.
Theres limited real estate.
So, you have to pick and choose what lands on the screen.
DEADLINE: That sounds like a really intimate experience.
I dont think Ive heard of such a direct connection between fans and film script in that way before.
HALL:Its amazing.
Ive never heard of it either.
Sometimes, it kind of helped to gauge things.
So, it was wonderful.
Also, meeting Colleens mom too?
It was just an incredible day.
And you say it without saying it.
I dont care what other movies do.
She has to say it.
And it was 100% percent resounding.
And I was like, Noted.
So that showed me that it was a worthy exploration, and I dont apologize for trying it out.
Its so raw and real.
But I feel with the way Blake delivers it, it makes you melt deeper into the movie.
What were some of the important things you kept in mind while tackling these movies?
Is there a particular theme you wanted to emphasize for the audience?
Then Blake came on board, and it just started to swell from there.
But I think we all felt a sense of responsibility in terms of stories about abuse.
Typically, those have been relegated to smaller indie movies.
c’mon go back to him.
I want us to be a family.
Because clearly, look, I feel like this book has saved lives.
I believe art saves lives.
I believe this book has saved lives.
But he offers a lifeline, like, If you need it, I am here.
That would be the greatest hope.
