Review: ’50 Shades’ is more ambitious than one would expect, but still falls short of its lofty expectations

Curious?

Rated R - 125 mins - Directed By: Sam Taylor-Johnson - Focus Features

Rated R – 125 mins – Directed By: Sam Taylor-Johnson – Focus Features

I never read the E.L. James erotica novel, Fifty Shades of Grey, that gives its story and name to this film, which is directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. It follows billionaire, Christian Grey (James Dornan), and senior English major, Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), who become romantically involved with one another. Grey has a dark past filled with raw upbringings, mommy issues and measures that question his morals, while Steele is the definition of innocence with an impurity that gives her an extra flare of attractiveness (partially what I feel captivates Grey so predominantly). The buck doesn’t stop there – Grey has a secret. Deep down below in his million dollar pad, he has a playroom…or “red room of pain” where inner lusts and desires are brought to life. The real question is at what costs?

E.L. James is riding a roller coaster at the moment, selling over 100 million copies worldwide…Insane. This strikes me as questionable, but those book sales propel this series into Harry Potter levels. So, to me, these are truly shocking statistics, considering how uninteresting and unstable the film’s plot crumbles around it. In the film (for those of you who live under a rock), Christian Grey likes to participate in the rougher sides of sexual activity (BDSM, dominant and submissive…that kind of stuff). That’s fine and all, but I feel the marketing department is going to let down some fans. Being advertised as a strong R-rated film (which it is), I feel the more graphic depiction of the activity was diluted because of said R rating. Instead of making the film for what it truly is (soft core pornagraphy), filmmakers adhered to the younger generation. I am in no way condoning this type of behavior, but for goodness’ sake, please project what is advertised.

In addition, the script (penned by James) is a creative disappointment and artistically disastrous.

(I can only imagine how the book was.) Playing out like a Twilight film (with extra sex), the dialogue is just as plain and morbid. Grey says, with a lustful undertone in his voice, “I don’t do romance,” and (this is my personal favorite) “I’m fifty shades of f****d up.” And the whole duration of the film (when the crew is trying to tell us a love story), all I could think about was when the sex scenes were going to commence (‘cause ANYBODY buying a ticket is seeing it for the sex – if they tell you otherwise, they are lying).

The sex scenes are not enticing in the simplest form. I find it sad that there is a better sex scene in The Boy Next Door than in a story that prides itself on that type of activity. They last about (at most) six minutes, and they have choppy edited shots, where you can’t really comprehend the material (they likely did this to secure the R rating).

I concede.

The two look great together; Dakota Johnson and Dornan have the feel of a couple who love each other (for the most part). They are just locked in the confines of a nature that is not willing to push the boundaries in any capacity. Director, Sam Johnson, takes control in scenes of measurable doubt and treats the more important scenes with care and dignity. The ambition to create something great is there, but the passion is lost in the depths of James’ tepid screenplay. I can say, with pride, that the soundtrack, which features a great mix of Ellie Goulding, The Weekend, and Beyonce, is easily the film’s greatest strength.

Evidently, 50 Shades is a much better film than I anticipated – the pace is just too slow, and by the time the movie reaches a conclusion (if that’s what it’s called), I was muffled and displeased because I left hating the characters more than liking them (which is incorrect, right?). Steele has a charm (which I could sense), and Grey is lost and needs companionship. In reality, they both can’t seem to make decisions and treat each other like pieces of meat. They need mutual respect, which Grey seems to have, but I wasn’t too convinced. Either way, die-hard fans of the series will likely flock to see this, while all others need to be warned…Viewer discretion is advised.

Grade: C-