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This week, we’re taking a look at two films that aim to tug at your heartstrings in very different ways but don’t quite hit the mark. It Ends With Us, starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, takes Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel to the screen, diving into a story of love, trauma, and difficult choices. Meanwhile, A Family Affair brings a rom-com twist with Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, and Joey King entangled in an unexpected love triangle full of awkward humour and outrageous scenarios. While It Ends With Us packs drama and heavy-handed emotion, A Family Affair leans into chaotic comedy—but neither manages to fully deliver on their potential. Grab your popcorn for these one-time watches and see where you land on this spectrum of drama and laughs.

It Ends With Us: Drama On and Off the Screen

Sometimes, the drama behind a movie can overshadow what happens on screen. That’s exactly the case with It Ends With Us. Featuring Blake Lively as Lily Bloom and Justin Baldoni (who also directs) as Ryle Kincaid, the movie is based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling book that had social media swooning. But as much as I love a good adaptation—or at least the idea of one—this one? Meh. It’s a one-time watch, and that’s being generous. Unfortunately, the result is more wilted bouquet than fresh bloom.

The story begins with Lily Bloom (yes, that’s her actual name) heading back to her hometown for her father’s funeral, where she dredges up some deeply buried traumas. Flash-forward to Boston, where she’s chasing her dream of opening a flower shop—because, of course, she is. Enter Ryle Kincaid, a ridiculously attractive, wealthy neurosurgeon who somehow manages to fall for her after a series of chance encounters. Their romance, like all cinematic love stories, starts out dreamy before unravelling into something much darker.

On paper, it’s a classic Hoover setup—big emotions, bigger twists—but on-screen, it feels flat. Despite earnest performances from Lively and Baldoni, the characters never quite leap off the screen. Baldoni’s direction, while polished, leans so heavily into melodrama that it almost tips over. And while the flower shop aesthetics are charming, they’re not enough to save a script that’s too heavy-handed to feel authentic.

But here’s the real kicker: the drama surrounding the movie’s real-life production is way more captivating. Lively and Baldoni are currently embroiled in a messy legal battle, making headlines that, frankly, have more intrigue than the movie itself. It's ironic that a film built on high-stakes emotional conflict pales in comparison to what’s happening off-screen.

Final verdict? It Ends With Us isn’t terrible—it’s just not worth all the hype (or the off-screen drama). Think of it as a one-time watch for fans of the book or anyone curious about what Hoover’s universe looks like on film. But don’t expect it to linger in your mind or your heart for long. Real life, in this case, is far more compelling.

A Family Affair: A Rom-Com That Missed the Memo

If It Ends With Us was all about heavy emotions and melodrama, A Family Affair feels like the polar opposite—an absurdly chaotic rom-com that tries to do it all but lands somewhere between “mildly amusing” and “why did I watch this again?”

Here’s the setup: Joey King plays Zara, a quirky twenty-something navigating her love life, her demanding boss (Zac Efron), and her overbearing mother (Nicole Kidman). When a love triangle involving all three of them emerges, it sets the stage for some over-the-top antics. On paper, it sounds like a hilarious, cheeky ride. In execution? Not so much.

The film tries to blend comedy with heart, but the jokes don’t always land, and the emotional beats feel forced. Nicole Kidman, ever the consummate professional, gives her all to the role, but even her presence can’t elevate the script beyond its predictability. Zac Efron, meanwhile, seems trapped in a caricature of the suave-yet-flawed romantic lead, while Joey King works hard to inject charm into a role that often feels one-note.

And yet, the drama off-screen is almost more interesting than what unfolds on it. With whispers of tension between the cast and production hiccups making headlines, the behind-the-scenes tea had more intrigue than the love triangle itself.

If you’re expecting a fresh spin on intergenerational romance, this isn’t quite it. It’s the kind of movie that’s best suited for a lazy weekend background watch—not something you’ll revisit or rave about. While it wasn’t my cup of tea, fans of light-hearted rom-coms might still find a moment or two to chuckle over.

Let’s just say, compared to the real-life drama surrounding the production, the film itself feels a bit... underwhelming. A one-time watch at best.