50 SHADES OF GREY (R)
Released by Focus Features
Review by Adam Mast
One of the most dangerous and controversial high profile films in recent memory has been released and wouldn’t you know it? It isn’t nearly as dangerous or controversial as some folks would have you believe. 50 SHADES OF GREY is based on an incredibly popular book by E.L. James, and it basically plays like TWILIGHT with bondage instead of vampires. Quite honestly, this story feels like it was written by a misguided, attention-craved
As 50 SHADES OF GREY opens, we’re introduced to Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), a young, virginal literature major/ hardware store employee–yes, a hardware store employee– who finds herself swept away by aggressive tycoon Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan). In the early goings, Steele is completely enamored by Grey. It’s simply a case of the good girl succumbing to the magnetic charms of the bad boy. As the story progresses however, Steele slowly begins to realize that Grey might be bad in a way she wasn’t prepared for. Eventually, Steele discovers that Grey doesn’t do romance and that his likes are very…particular in nature. Still, she’s so in to him, that she’ll do just about anything to make him a part of her life.
Listen, S & M doesn’t interest me in the slightest, but if it did, I like to think it would be far rougher and infinitely more dangerous than this movie suggests it is. Seriously! Given the subject matter, 50 SHADES OF GREY is surprisingly tame. Especially when stacked up against movies like THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO and the upcoming THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL. Yes, there is quite a bit of nudity here but in terms of sexual situations, this film doesn’t even have anything on BASIC INSTINCT, and that sexually charged flick came out over twenty years ago. Funny enough, France has deemed 50 SHADES OF GREY suitable enough for teens, so there you have it. I know, I know. It’s France. Their views on sexual content are much different then ours here in the states, but still…
From a character stand point, 50 SHADES OF GREY doesn’t touch the steamy 2002 sadomasochism opus, SECRETARY. That picture features real three dimensional characters (brilliantly played by James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal) dealing with a similar relationship dynamic in a far more realistic manner. Granted, 50 SHADES OF GREY is more interested in a Harlequin romance novel-inspired fantasy approach. At least, it plays as fantasy early on, but then, it starts taking itself too damned seriously in the second half.
By daring to emotionally dissect its superficial characters, 50 SHADES OF GREY loses the campy luster it had going for it early on, and tediously chugs along, making its way towards a ridiculous, anticlimactic ending. An ending that could have been effective had Steele and Grey been involved in anything resembling a real relationship. The final scene in 50 SHADES OF GREY wants us to cheer for Anastasia in her moment of so called triumph, but the union between she and Christian is so artificial, so undefined that it’s a moment that feels completely unearned.
To Dakota Johnson’s great credit, she brings more personality to this movie than it really deserves. A scene early on in which she calls Grey while in a drunken stupor is oddly cute and a pivotal sequence in which she objects to a few naughty details in Grey’s “relationship” contract is one of the film’s most entertaining scenes.
As Grey, handsome Jamie Dornan is a bit of a blank. He certainly has an appearance that suggests he’s looking to take on the role of Superman or a model in the highly anticipated ZOOLANDER sequel, but there is no real depth here. It’s just all brooding, steely glances. I’ve been told that his personality, or lack thereof, comes right from the pages of the book. If that’s the case, then I guess that’s another great reason to not read it.
As directed by NOWHERE BOY helmer Sam Taylor-Johnson, 50 SHADES OF GREY has very little visual style to speak of. There’s nothing particularly sexy about the sex scenes and even the supposed taboo scenes shot in Grey’s “playroom” lack any real sense of excitement or danger. Furthermore, this film is anything but romantic. I’m sure this picture will have an audience but clearly, I’m not it.
Quite frankly, I find the controversy surrounding 50 SHADES OF GREY a bit perplexing. I can’t really comment on the book because I haven’t read it, but the movie isn’t really worth getting offended by. In the end, it’s much ado about nothing.
Side note; I think I’d much rather listen to the articulate, eloquent gentleman in the following clip recite the whole novel then to read it myself or watch the movie again.
