Part 8/10:
Crucially, Lively’s comments about the film’s narrative—that it was not primarily centered around domestic violence—diverted attention from genuinely troubling themes presented in the story. Critics argued that her failure to address the impact of domestic violence in a meaningful way during promotions diluted the film’s message and disrespected real-life victims of such experiences.
By framing the narrative through the lens of empowerment and romantic discovery, Lively missed an opportunity to foster a profound dialogue about domestic abuse—the real-life horror that many face. Instead, she seemed to Re-imagine her character's experiences to position herself as a victim to seek sympathy and attention following her tumultuous on-set experiences.