Quick Links
Blake Livelyis the woman of the hour, as her recently released romantic drama movie,It Ends With Us, directed by Justin Baldoni, is now available to watch in cinemas. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, which was written by the Queen of Booktok, Colleen Hoover, and released in 2016, the story follows flower shop owner Lily Bloom as she navigates through recurring trauma from her past and an abusive relationship.
Even before the movie was released on August 9, its trailer already summoned an entire fan group. In this short, first impression, the relationship dynamic between the central characters Lily and Ryle (played by Bladoni) is hinted at. But, significantly, our mothers, Taylor and Blake, have joined forces, as Swift’s “My Tears Ricochet” from her dreamy Folklore album overscores the trailer and provides a deeper insight into the relationship. Let’s take a look at why Taylor Swift’s “My Tears Ricochet” is used inIt Ends With Us.
It Ends With Us
Read Our Review
Taylor Swift and Blake Lively’s Friendship
It’s no secret that Blake Livelyand Taylor Swiftshare a deeply-rooted friendship. The two of them have been friends for almost an entire decade, and considering how often the two of them are seen out and about, it is clear that they genuinely care for each other, even outside the fast-paced world of fame. In fact, their bond reaches beyond that, and a look at Lively’s family proves that.
The mother of four kids chose none other than Swift to become the godmother of James, Betty, Inez, and Olin, and, of course, the singer agreed and still continues to step up for them. The singer even paid homage to Lively’s three older children in her Folklore album and mentioned their names during one of her concerts which the family attended. It is safe to say, that both of these highly successful and inspiring women are connected on a deep level, which makes it even more special when they support each other during one of their projects.
How the It Ends With Us Movie Could Redeem the Controversial Novel
It Ends With Us has faced endless controversy, but has this one decision from director Justin Baldoni saved the movie from much of this criticism?
The Meaning of Taylor Swift’s Song “My Tears Ricochet”
“My Tears Ricochet” was released during a very taxing time in the singer’s life. While she is known for singing about past lovers and heartbreaks, this song focuses on a different kind of breakup. With her lyrics,Swift refers to her exit from her previous music label, Big Machine Records. She decided to turn her back to the label, because her trusted friend, father figure, and Big Machine owner, Scott Borchetta, had plans to sell his label and with it the rights to the artist’s works. Borchetta eventually did sell his company and a feud unfolded between the new owner, Scooter Braun, and Swift, as he would now profit off her hard work despite publicly ridiculing her in the past.
What followed was a public debate, in which Swift demanded the rights to her work, but her old label remained stern. As a consequence, Swift ended up re-recording her songs to own them once again and brought an end to the lengthy disagreement.The broken trust and lack of loyalty Swift brings up in “My Tears Ricochet” is most likely referring to the heart-breaking situation with Scott Borchetta, since he was one of the most important people in her life, and the betrayal she felt from him left deep wounds. Knowing the possible meaning behind Swift’s song, the next question is how it relates to Lily’s situation.
How Does “My Tears Ricochet” Relate to the Movie?
Taylor Swift continues to inspire peopleas she somehow always has a song that matches every single life situation that could occur, but"My Tears Ricochet," despite having been written back in 2020, feels as though it was specifically meant forIt Ends with Us’s Lily Bloom. Since Swift’s Folklore album was released years before the movie came out, that definitely isn’t the case, but the meaning behind the lyrics still fits the movie almost eerily perfectly.
Right at the beginning of her song, which kicks off with a funeral-like, angelic choral introduction, Swift asks if giving her so much hell was deserved, even on her worst day. Clearly,this draws a strong connection to Lily, as she has to endure physical and emotional abuse. Her husband, Ryle, is constantly questioning her loyalty and, even when she is literally giving her everything, stabs her in the back and makes her feel as though she failed him yet again.
As the song continues, the intensity of how Swift is feeling truly matches Lily’s situation. The lyrics focus on how she simply didn’t have it in her to leave him behind and save herself from even more pain and danger. The singer goes on to talk about “a hero flying around saving face.” While there are a few complexcharacters inIt Ends with Us,this perfectly reflects Ryle’s behavior.
As an accomplished doctor, who receives praise for taking on huge surgeries and saving lives, he takes on a heroic position and repeatedly states that he is going to protect Lily as well as their daughter. In reality, however,he is just keeping up an act, considering that he is the one who causes his wife so much pain. His caring side, even though there are moments where he seems genuine, is often merely a facade.
15 Young Adult Book Adaptations That Should Have Been Better
Young Adult book adaptations have had their fair share of successes and failures, but these 15 films in particular should have been better.
“My Tears Ricochet” Comes in at a Pivotal Moment
Looking at all of these striking connections, it shouldn’t be a surprise that “My Tears Ricochet” was chosen to be featured inLively’s movie. Even more so than just being featured, the song is used to add more weight to a pivotal moment in Lily’s life and the movie. After finally opening her eyes to the fact that her husband is abusing her, Lily leaves him and moves back into her mother’s house.“My Tears Ricochet” starts playing during a montage of her processing the traumatic events. Lily, much further along in her pregnancy now, is walking through the streets and remembering the beautiful moments she shared with Ryle, before quickly reminding herself of why she left in the first place.
She then has a heart-to-heart with her mother, who alsoexperienced domestic violence, but, just like Lily, stayed because she loved her husband.Swift’s song is all about loyalty, broken trust, and love, which becomes even more palpable through the conversation between the mother and the daughter. At the latest, when Ryle shows up to help Lily prepare the nursery for her unborn daughter, the meaning of the song hits a nerve. Lily is aware that her trust and loyalty were broken, and that she has to do what is right for herself and her daughter.She knows right then and there that the cycle of abuse will end with her, and that Ryle will never lay hands on her again.
Swift’s “My Tears Ricochet” adds even more weight to an already difficult yet also empowering situation.Lily takes back her power and actively chooses to stop the toxic cycle she was caught in. Even though fear was a steady companion during her marriage, she gathered all her courage, accepted the help of others, and saved herself from a dangerous relationship.Swift is known for touching people’s hearts with her songs, but in this case, the lyrics mark a striking realization of power, survival, and healing. Make sure to check out the trailer below and get a first impression of how “My Tears Ricochet” matches Lily’s experiences.
