Okay, so most of you by now will have heard the hype about the newly released 50 Shades Of Grey movie, and if you haven't, where have you been? It grossed $81.7 million in the first 3 days of release and topped last years romantic comedy 'Valentines Day'. I went on Saturday, which just happened to be Valentines day, with one of my best girl friends Annie, and we were pleasantly surprised.
50 Shades of Grey is the movie adaptation of the book by the same name, written by E.L. James. It follows English Lit student Anastasia Steele, who crosses paths with dark and mysterious CEO Christian Grey, and their often turbulent yet passionate 'love' story.
Now look, I could be all prim and proper about this and use fancy shmancy words, but in reality, the book is mummy porn, and the movie is pretty much the same. Not to say I didn't like it, because I did.
You'll find many scathing reviews out there, from people of all walks of life saying things like:
• A 1.5 star movie review of “Fifty Shades of Grey”: The adaptation of the erotic best-seller by E.L. James at least has a better-than-expected performance from Dakota Johnson." - Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times
Either way, you can like it or lump it really.
50 Shades of Grey is the movie adaptation of the book by the same name, written by E.L. James. It follows English Lit student Anastasia Steele, who crosses paths with dark and mysterious CEO Christian Grey, and their often turbulent yet passionate 'love' story.
Now look, I could be all prim and proper about this and use fancy shmancy words, but in reality, the book is mummy porn, and the movie is pretty much the same. Not to say I didn't like it, because I did.
You'll find many scathing reviews out there, from people of all walks of life saying things like:
• "The blame begins with James' artless, witless source material, which began its literary life as a work of Twilight fan fiction. That explains the story's Northwest setting, Seattle, and the maddening way its adult characters behave like dopey teenagers. Grey, a vaguely defined "businessman," is an unconvincing mix of Regency aristocrat and high-school hunk, while Anastasia is another Bella Swan (Twilight), though with even bigger daddy issues." – Rafer Guzmán, Newsday
• A 1.5 star movie review of “Fifty Shades of Grey”: The adaptation of the erotic best-seller by E.L. James at least has a better-than-expected performance from Dakota Johnson." - Moira Macdonald, Seattle Times
To me, they're a little harsh, but each to their own. It's been said that the movie depicts abuse, both physical and mental, misogyny, and a false representation of the BDSM community.
Seriously?!?!?! It's fiction! If people didn't buy the book, it wouldn't be popular. If people didn't talk about the book, it wouldn't be popular. If people didn't post about it on social media, it wouldn't be popular. It was only a matter of time until a movie was made, because the book gained such popularity. Really, you can blame the author for writing things you don't agree with (and writing them terribly), or you can blame society for enjoying fiction.
And again, the majority of the people who are claiming the book and the movie depict these terrible things, haven't even read the book, and generally refuse to see the movie. I have. I've read all 3 books, and now seen the movie.
Throughout the whole series, Christian, who is a controlling, obsessive and sometimes stalkery Dominant cares so passionately for Anna, the sometimes dippy naive college student. But he always states very clearly that she can leave whenever she wants, they'll stop whenever she wants, he gives her clear safe words to use after he explains what it is he enjoys sexually.
Throughout the whole series, Christian, who is a controlling, obsessive and sometimes stalkery Dominant cares so passionately for Anna, the sometimes dippy naive college student. But he always states very clearly that she can leave whenever she wants, they'll stop whenever she wants, he gives her clear safe words to use after he explains what it is he enjoys sexually.
If anything Anna is the one who pushes Christian without his consent. She's constantly asking him why he doesn't like being touched, why he won't let her in etc etc. He answers her, but apparently our little Anna just isn't satisfied with his answers. Rude.
Either way, you can like it or lump it really.
Anyway now that I've had my little rant, onto my actual review of the movie.
I'll be honest, I wouldn't pay to see if again, but that's because I'm a cheap skate (it costs me $20 as an adult movie goer) and would rather sit in the comfort of my own home and watch it (I have issues with my lower back and struggle to sit for long periods of time).
It starts of almost exactly like the book, showing us Anna going into Christians building, and walking into his office. Or should I say, not so gracefully falling into his office. Anna is dressed like a dowdy middle aged mother, it just makes me uncomfortable. Moving on... They sit down and the barrage of awkward questions begins. Anna, played by Dakota Johnson, stumbles, this time gracefully over questions like 'Are you gay?' with ease and Christian, (Jamie Dornan) responds effortlessly.
I was hoping to see some sort of chemistry here, but so far none I can see. C'mon, it'll happen soon! Mind you, I'm kind of enjoying the look of Jamie, didn't think he would suit the role, but he seems to pull it off.
It starts of almost exactly like the book, showing us Anna going into Christians building, and walking into his office. Or should I say, not so gracefully falling into his office. Anna is dressed like a dowdy middle aged mother, it just makes me uncomfortable. Moving on... They sit down and the barrage of awkward questions begins. Anna, played by Dakota Johnson, stumbles, this time gracefully over questions like 'Are you gay?' with ease and Christian, (Jamie Dornan) responds effortlessly.
I was hoping to see some sort of chemistry here, but so far none I can see. C'mon, it'll happen soon! Mind you, I'm kind of enjoying the look of Jamie, didn't think he would suit the role, but he seems to pull it off.
As the movie goes on, the tension, both sexual and just plain confusing is evident. Dakota and Jamie seem to fall into a groove and I'm now actually enjoying the movie. Waiting oh so patiently for the sex scenes, mind you.
Dakota still kind of annoys me, but I can see her feeling out the role, and almost enjoying being Anna.
Dakota still kind of annoys me, but I can see her feeling out the role, and almost enjoying being Anna.
Some of the lines in the film adaptation, are just as awkward as the book, and literally had me squirming in my seat. 'Laters baby'? Really? What grown man who owns and runs his own empire actually says that? A line from Anna 'Are we going to make love now?', no, no we're not. You sound too young to even know what that means. But I guess, if it hadn't been put in the script, die hard fans would have been up in arms.
The rest of the characters in the movie are very much sidelined, as the story follows Christian and Anna. There are a few awkward moments, or scenes that don't match to the book, but it's an adaptation, not an exact film copy. The staging and sets on the movie are stunning, and pretty much exactly as I had imagined them, when I was reading the book. I will say though, the boathouse is wrong. All wrong!
I loved the soundtrack, and will be acquiring it when I can. Beyonce's haunting rendition of her hit song Crazy In Love is just sublime, and I felt as though the music fit almost perfectly to the mood of the scenes, and the overall movie. Other contributing artists include The Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra, Annie Lennox and The Weeknd. There was one slightly off putting music selection, but it obviously wasn't overly special, because I can't remember it.
I loved the soundtrack, and will be acquiring it when I can. Beyonce's haunting rendition of her hit song Crazy In Love is just sublime, and I felt as though the music fit almost perfectly to the mood of the scenes, and the overall movie. Other contributing artists include The Rolling Stones, Frank Sinatra, Annie Lennox and The Weeknd. There was one slightly off putting music selection, but it obviously wasn't overly special, because I can't remember it.
Now onto the juicy part you've all skipped to, the sex scenes. Really, I should be calling them 'sexy scenes'. If you can feel the sexual tension between Johnson and Dornan, then you might find yourself a little hot under the collar, but really, you don't see much.
I myself am a little lost as to why people are saying this movie is just soft core porn. The only traditionally sexual area of a woman's body you'll actually see, is a little bit of bush, and breasts. You catch a glimpse of Dornans soft behind, but otherwise, it's all implied sexual intercourse.
I will say though, one of my major annoyances with the film is that the entire book and 90% of the series is written from Annas perspective. It's all about how she feels, and Anna is in control (to an extent). During the sex scenes in the book, Anna describes in great, yet awkward detail, her orgasms. How she sees fireworks, and feels everything from the tips of her toes, to the top of her head, more than she ever imagined she could. Anna talks about her 'inner goddess', and how empowered she feels knowing how she makes Christian feel. We see/read Christian from Anna's point of view (POV), and we get a feel of how she sees him, and how his presence makes her feel.
Do you think we see any of that in the film? Nope. The sexy scenes are shot from Christians point of view, as it is done in Hollywood it would seem. I was hoping that for once, we would be able to view things from a womans POV, to feel her pleasure. But no, the producer and director appear to have been afraid of breaking with tradition.
Now, if you've ever wondered what it would be like to be a part of the BDSM community, then don't watch the movie. It's all wrong. Yeah there is use of bondage depicted in the film, but the feel and culture of the BDSM community is completely different. Feel free to get your kicks out of it just the same.
All in all, I actually enjoyed this movie a lot more than I ever expected to. Granted I did go in with really low expectations. I'll give it a 3.5 out of 5.
Have a different opinion? Let me know in the comments below.
Love,
J xx
I myself am a little lost as to why people are saying this movie is just soft core porn. The only traditionally sexual area of a woman's body you'll actually see, is a little bit of bush, and breasts. You catch a glimpse of Dornans soft behind, but otherwise, it's all implied sexual intercourse.
I will say though, one of my major annoyances with the film is that the entire book and 90% of the series is written from Annas perspective. It's all about how she feels, and Anna is in control (to an extent). During the sex scenes in the book, Anna describes in great, yet awkward detail, her orgasms. How she sees fireworks, and feels everything from the tips of her toes, to the top of her head, more than she ever imagined she could. Anna talks about her 'inner goddess', and how empowered she feels knowing how she makes Christian feel. We see/read Christian from Anna's point of view (POV), and we get a feel of how she sees him, and how his presence makes her feel.
Do you think we see any of that in the film? Nope. The sexy scenes are shot from Christians point of view, as it is done in Hollywood it would seem. I was hoping that for once, we would be able to view things from a womans POV, to feel her pleasure. But no, the producer and director appear to have been afraid of breaking with tradition.
Now, if you've ever wondered what it would be like to be a part of the BDSM community, then don't watch the movie. It's all wrong. Yeah there is use of bondage depicted in the film, but the feel and culture of the BDSM community is completely different. Feel free to get your kicks out of it just the same.
All in all, I actually enjoyed this movie a lot more than I ever expected to. Granted I did go in with really low expectations. I'll give it a 3.5 out of 5.
Have a different opinion? Let me know in the comments below.
Love,
J xx
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