Blake Lively’s fans are urging her to follow Julia Roberts’ lead when it comes to talking about domestic violence, a central storyline in her new film, It Ends With Us.
While she has been heavily criticized for the way she handled her press tour for the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, social media users agree that it would be good for the 36-year-old actress to approach the sensitive subject in a more serious manner, as Roberts (56) did while promoting her film Sleeping with the Enemy.
In a video uploaded by TikTok user @dammitsarah79 of the Oscar winner during a 1991 interview with Bobbie Wygant, the mother of three is seen tackling the topic of domestic abuse with great deliberation, when she is asked how she “would personally react” if she were in her character’s shoes.
As she ponders the answer, Roberts, who plays a woman forced to fake her own death to escape her abusive husband in this psychological thriller, replies that it’s not her place to “really say it.”
“I can’t imagine being in such a terrible situation,” she stressed. “It’s not within my reach.”
Blake Lively is being urged by fans to follow Julia Roberts’ lead when it comes to discussing domestic violence, a central storyline in her new film, It Ends With Us (out earlier this month).
After the interviewer agreed that she couldn’t understand the violence either, she told Roberts that she would still “fight back.”
‘I doubt I could have kept it up like this for three and a half years. [your character] “That’s not true,” says the journalist.
This prompts Roberts to remind the reporter and viewers that victims of domestic violence often face a “process of manipulation that intensifies” at the hands of their abusers.
“It’s not that simple,” she notes with sympathy in her voice. “I think it’s amazingly psychological and very destructive, so I don’t think it’s that simple.”
When asked if the film scared her, Roberts admitted she “screamed a couple times” and “got startled a couple times, too.”
Upon its release, Sleeping with the Enemy grossed $175 million, despite a production budget of $19 million.
According to Yahoo! Entertainment, the film is also being hailed as one of the “first contemporary Hollywood films to address the issue of domestic violence.”
Following the news of the resurfaced footage, many TikTok users rose up in arms, praising the Pretty Woman actress for the empathy and compassion with which she addressed the topic.
Amid the backlash over the way she handled her press tour for the film adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, social media users have come together to suggest that the actress, 36, would benefit from approaching the sensitive subject in a more serious manner, as Roberts, 56, did while promoting her film Sleeping with the Enemy.
In a video uploaded by a TikTok user who goes by the username @dammitsarah79, of the Oscar winner during a 1991 interview with Bobbie Wygant, the mother of three can be seen thoughtfully addressing the topic of domestic abuse as she is asked how she “would personally react” if she were in her character’s position.
As she ponders the answer, Roberts, who plays a woman forced to fake her own death to escape her abusive husband in the psychological thriller, says it’s not her place to “really say”
“Her tone is good, it’s a serious movie so she answers sincerely and not joking around,” one person noted, referencing Lively’s shocking use of sarcasm during her press tour for It Ends With Us.
A second wrote: ‘That’s how you do it. Bravo Juila for leading with compassion.’
A third user, who said he had experience with domestic violence, complimented Roberts on how he “completely” understood the victims.
Others encouraged Blake to ‘take notes.’
A handful of people noted that Roberts, despite his age of 24, answered every question with aplomb and emotional intelligence.
“She was already so wise and eloquent,” another noted.
“I can’t even imagine being in such a terrible situation,” she stressed. “It’s not within my grasp.” (seen in 1991)
Lively, on the other hand, took a completely different approach when promoting her latest film, which features scenes depicting domestic violence, generational trauma, physical abuse and rape.
Over the past month, Lively has been accused of being “toneless” when it comes to these topics.
In her film It Ends With Us, the actress plays a woman named Lily Bloom, who becomes involved in an abusive relationship with a man named Ryle Kincaid, played by Justin Baldoni.
Earlier this month, she raised eyebrows when she spoke to actors Jenny Slate and Isabela Ferrer, and last week to author Colleen, about the new film.
The women surprised social media users with the lighthearted nature of their conversation. They giggled together and discussed everything from their dream jobs to their star signs. Domestic violence was not mentioned, however.
Lively, on the other hand, took a completely different approach to promoting her latest film, which features scenes depicting domestic violence, generational trauma, physical abuse and rape; seen on August 6, 2024
Lively in particular was criticized for not speaking on the subject, given the serious nature of the film, but for participating in the lighthearted questionnaire.
After the negative reactions, Lively shared information about domestic violence on Instagram and also gave her followers some information.
“In the US alone, one in four women ages 18 and older has experienced serious physical violence by an intimate partner,” her statement began.
‘Intimate partner violence affects all genders, including more than 12 million people each year in the United States. Everyone deserves relationships free of domestic violence.
“The National Domestic Violence Hotline provides confidential support 24/7/365,” Lively wrote, then provided a link to the hotline.
She also encouraged people who needed “immediate assistance” to text “START” to 88788.”
It Ends With Us hit theaters last Friday, competing with Lively’s husband Ryan Reynolds’ superhero film Deadpool & Wolverine at the box office after weeks of worldwide promotion.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film has already grossed more than $100 million at the worldwide box office after just one week in theaters.
Over the past month, Lively has been criticized for being “toneless” when it comes to these topics (showing this month in London)