idreamofidee के द्वारा समीक्षा

I haven't read the book, but I did go into the film knowing it depicted domestic abuse.

With that said, I thought there would be more depictions of the abuse that occurred in the relationship. However, it makes sense that there weren't as, I assume, the point of the film is ending the cycle of abuse and the normalisation of violence many of us inherit due to the environments we are raised in. This film wasn't going to play out an increasingly violent and torrid marriage as that wasn't the point. Lily dismissed and rationalised the first few incidents, but eventually left when she realised how her marriage mirrored the household she grew up in.

Moreover, I appreciate that Ryle wasn't the foaming at the mouth archetype of a person who beats their spouse - sometimes the perpetrators of abuse aren't raging alcoholics who watched mum beat dad (or vice versa) and sometimes victims aren't frail with no means of escape. Perpetrators can be materially successful, teetotal, surrounded by family, friends and colleagues who love them. Domestic abuse can occur in gorgeous, palatial homes and violence can, at least at first, be easily dismissed as an accident, or a one off, or even just 'how things are in a relationship sometimes'.

Ryle was brilliantly portrayed and there were moments I was afraid of him. Both the younger versions of Lily and Atlas were solid performances too, particularly Lily - really well cast.