Fifty Shades Of Grey (2015) Film Review

Whether your against or for the Hollywood exploration of the highly successful erotic rom-com, Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L James is up to you. But there is no denying that there is certainly something about this anticipated pop-cultural film that is captivating and something serious to talk about.

Mr. Grey (played by the handsomely and at times awkwardly expressive Jamie Dornan) may have a refined taste when it comes to pleasure and pain, but it’s not without reason. 

Christian Grey highlights the importance of childhood and how it is one of the most important factors in growing as a human-being, providing an explanation into why his character has a twisted sense of pleasure and pain.

In doing so his outlook on life hurts both himself and his intriguing new relationship-like experience with Anastasia, played by Dakota Johnson – who manages to pull of a convincingly comical and romantically confused literature student (who happens to show the most skin throughout the film).

Umm, what do you want me to do?

As many focus on the issues of rape and domestic abuse, Fifty Shades instead can be viewed as a spotlight on the issue as it provides an intriguing and analytical perspective of human relationships. Relationships are a confusing and intangible thing to define, and situations expressed in this flick exist in everyday society. Yes, you may turn a blind-eye on the issue by labelling this as condoning or either taking it in stride as something to think about on people in such relationships.

Hearing of real-life individuals who have suffered in controlling and abusive relationships is exactly what made me find this flick a insightful look into love and psychology. Victims find it hard to make sense of their feelings and try to make sense of helping and loving a damaged soul, which in turn affects your very own wellbeing.

Perk of Being a Wallflower (2012) comes to mind in this situation as it touched on the issue in a different manner but in turn dealt with the same repercussions of being abused and accepting love. It is neither a feministic or un-feministic flick (as it explores both sexes as victims of sexual abuse). Anastasia although tries to figure out the strange suit-and-tie man whom she begins having feelings for and attempts to fix him.

Anastasia (Dakota Johnson) and Mr. Grey (Jamie Dornan) try to make sense of their relationship.

Director, Sam Taylor-Johnson does a good job in making the source material palatable, alongside great cinematography and a thumpingly catchy soundtrack. I’d also like to thank Ellie Goulding, who made me even consider seeing the flick (who doesn’t currently have “Love Me Like You Do” stuck in their head?) as I had no intention in seeing it beforehand due to not reading the original source material. Very clever marketing strategy indeed…

The only downside is that it sometimes drags a little as sex becomes a prominent focus, (which of course is what the fans want) sometimes distracting from understanding and analysing the curious relationship between both Anastasia and Christian Grey. The supporting cast is also heavily underused as many go unnoticed and have little lines or involvement in the story.

But while it does feel slow and repetitive at times, the climax is quite shocking and leaves viewers wanting more. No I do not mean that as a sexually deprived thirst, but as to where things will go next.

With the series having two other books and an already confirmed deal to make sequels, we will see what lies ahead for this strange love. It also remains to be seen what grounds and stand-point the series is going for – in that if it chooses to explore the sufferings of the relationship or add fuel to the fire to its already growing letters of backlash (such as romanticising and glossing over it as something pleasurable and desirable).

VERDICT: A look into the confusing world of relationships. It gives food for thought on traumatic childhood experiences that shape into twisted acceptances of love and pain.