Material
vs. Content of the Movie
I’m going to start this off by
saying that I’m no way okay with most of what happened in the story, Fifty
Shades of Grey. There were just so many issues that deemed unacceptable for me
but I won’t go deeper about that in this post. Maybe you’re thinking why I even
bothered watching the movie when I have issues with it. Simple, I want to know how
they are going to translate and handle such a controversial book. Are they
going to choose the road of romanticizing it? Or are they going to be bold
enough and stick with the content and how it was presented in the book?
The greatest possible fear that
I have in my mind with the thought of having this book being made into a movie
was if Hollywood would romanticize it for commercial reasons. Because they just
couldn’t do it and persuade/twist the public’s mind into thinking that
everything is okay and acceptable with that kind of relationship like Ana and
Christian. It wouldn’t be Fifty Shades of Grey if that happens too. But fear not,
my dear Greysessed, the movie didn’t take that route. The movie making people
presented everything as raw as the book and left it open for public’s own
input. They didn’t shove it down the viewer’s throats that it’s okay to be
involved in something like that and I admire them for doing just that.
They heavily focused on the sex
scenes. I know that it’s the core of the story and relationship of Christian
and Ana and I applaud them for mostly retaining the important sexual moments
between the two. But once the sex scenes commenced it turned out to be one sex
scene after another. Again, I know that there are a number of sex scenes in the
book but they could’ve at least inserted breather moments in between those. Breather
moments could have helped in setting the tone and pace of the movie and not
giving the viewers some kind of a whiplash.
I know it’s a common concern
for book to movie aficionados to note differences and scenes that didn’t made
the cut. It’s an annoying habit, right? But hear me out first, on the previous
paragraph I mentioned about breather
moments. The email conversations in the book could be just that. The emails
were highly important in this series because it’s the part wherein we see some development
between the relationship of Ana and Christian. Yes, there were email
conversations in the movie but it wasn’t enough to showcase their growth. I must say that if these emails were included
in the movie and given much focus, it could’ve catapulted it into a better one.
Small scenes like that could’ve added more to the entirety story.
But all in all, the movie is really the book.
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Action!
Fifty Shades of Grey is Dakota
Johnson’s movie! People who were dubious of her being cast to portray Ana’s role
will be surprised with her performance. Your concerns about her will be
immediately shut down right from the first moment Ana and Christian meet – the interview
at the Grey House. Hands down, she was really the perfect actress to carry on
the role of Ana. Not only was she brave to go through and act out those sexually
and passionately driven sequences but she has the air of innocence, being
highly curious that Ana had in the book and her sense of wonderment. Her
gestures, facial expressions and how she carried herself was so Ana! Plus, she
really got a laugh out of me in several scenes in the movie. Dakota Johnson’s
performance is the highlight of this movie! She’ll leave you breathless.
With a handsome face and hot
body, it was quite easy for Jamie Dornan to gather such a following and be on
board of the Christian Grey crazy train. He’ll make you squirm in your seats probably
because of two reasons: he’s so handsome and you can’t help yourself but to
squirm or he’s got such an intense stare focused on the camera. Either of the
two, I think Dornan managed to make the viewers squirm on their seats. Am I
only one who felt like it was quite easy for him to step into Grey’s shoes?
There were moments that it feels like he isn’t acting or something like that. But
sad to say that it was towards the end of the movie that I fully felt the
internal struggle happening within Christian Grey’s character. The red room scene
was when I felt how torn he was on what he’s doing. Yes, he’s enjoying and
gaining pleasure from whipping Ana but at the same time he sees Ana hurting. And
crying. That scene broke my heart. Seeing him whipping Ana with his torn
facial expression was too much. With Fifty Shades of Darker is already in the works, I
hope Dornan will be able to develop and take his acting to the next level for his
portrayal of Christian Grey. But he definitely earns a pat on his back for his valiant
effort of bringing Grey’s character to life.
My favorite part in the entire
Fifty Shades of Grey book was that scene wherein Ana finally stood up for
herself. It was in that moment that her character showed enough strength and
conviction to address what is really happening between. She showed that she isn’t
okay with it. But at the same time, she’s so torn up about it because she fell
in love with him already. In the movie though, it seems to have happened like
in a snap of my finger. It lacked the punch that I was hoping to feel during
that scene. Dakota and Jamie’s acting were there already but the whole sequence
just jumped from this point to that which ultimately leads up to the final
moment of the movie. Pacing. It felt rushed and wasn’t allowed to fully set in. I need the punch in the gut feel. I would
probably love it more if prior to that big scene Ana’s sentiments were
carefully built up already or they could’ve taken the route of how the book
ended with an extension of a minute or two with a voice over that will
encapsulate Ana’s thoughts and struggle in coming to terms with what just
happened with their relationship. But, I also love what they did and how they approached the ending. That parallel Ana-Christian moment. Clever move.
Now, I’m just happy that Fifty
Shades Darker is already secured of being adapted into a movie too!
Now, I'm going to talk about their chemistry. From the moment Jamie Dornan was announced as the one who
nabbed the role of Christian Grey, I’ve been picturing him and Dakota out
already. I immediately saw the chemistry. Studio releases the Entertainment
Weekly photos and I went gaga over it. Eventually the trailers, movie stills
and all those video clips are being released too. My fangirl heart is happy.
But nothing could’ve prepared
me for the movie. Hot damn, Johnson and Dornan went all out and their chemistry
was sizzling hot! I commend them for being so brave and dedicated in bringing
their characters and this story to life. They didn’t hold any bars in their
portrayals. Also take into account that they only have 9 weeks to shoot this
movie, just wow. Sex scenes were explosive as hell and I’m sure fans and
readers would be utterly satisfied with it. Props to director, Sam Taylor-Johnson! I truly believe that Sam was the perfect director to take on this job! She directed and presented the sequences in a very classy, clean and artistic manner and completely pulled it away from what (I think) most of the people is thinking regarding the movie's direction. Aside from those
fans myself scenes, there were also laughable and cute scenes between Ana and
Christian. Ahem, the "are you gay?" and bar scene had me giggling in my seat! Then we have the helicopter ride and the gliding! I truly love and adore those! There
was just too much feels in that scene that even now as I’m typing this in, I
can still feel it! That one could probably be my favorite scene in the whole
movie.
Tunes
in the Movie
It’s been days already since
the release of the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack which only means that I have
it on my playlist and been listening to it for days already. The first time
that I’ve finished listening to the full soundtrack, I can’t help but to praise
it. All of the songs that they have included truly captured the mood of the
book and their lyrics resonates the thoughts of the Ana and Christian. I love
how the songs were arranged so seamlessly and the transition from one song to
another ran so smoothly.
Another thing that impressed me
is how the songs were appropriately and perfectly used in the different scenes
of the movie. Especially, during the key scenes of the movie because it just
added heat to the moment. But my two favorite moments in the movie were the
parts when Love Me Like by Ellie Goulding and One Last Night by Vaults played
over. It was certainly feels everywhere!
Conclusion
I’m wrapping this post up by
saying that Fifty Shades of Grey will satisfy its fan’s cravings. The movie
crew was able to retain the book’s core, the atmosphere, intensity and scenes
that seem to be the ones most anticipated by the fans. It’s basically a movie that will cater to the needs and wants of the fans – fan favorite scenes stitched together
to deliver a two-hour long movie. I’m sure fans will be thrilled to see how
faithful the movie is with the book. Yup, that's it.
To
those who already had the privilege to watch the movie, what are your thoughts
about it? Please don’t be shy and comment below! I would love to know about it! <3
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