As You Wish Reviews: FIFTY SHADES OF GREY: THE MOVIE based on E.L. James bestseller MY REVIEW OF THE MOVIE

FIFTY SHADES OF GREY: THE MOVIE

Based on E.L. James bestseller

MY REVIEW OF THE MOVIE

Having read the trilogy at least a dozen times (*cough*), I ventured this morning with skepticism to see the movie. The long and the short of it ... it is a good movie! It is entertaining; stays as true to the book as possible for a Hollywood spawn; and with minor tweaks to the plot line improving the flow, it stays true to the original story.

Yes, they did cut some of the scenes from the book. Yes, some of what was left out may leave some members of the audience a little out of the loop if they have not read the books. All in all, let's face it people... the movie could never be the same as the book in just 100 minutes of play time.

Why is my review rating not a fantastic 5? I'll tell ya... chemistry! Dakota Johnson has it, Jamie Dornan gives it his best try, but there is something missing. This man is such a hunk! Everything I have seen him in (*acting wise*) he pulls off because he is a great actor. His eyes say what his words could never express. That is a very difficult skill. Yet, he holds back in this movie during some of the most key scenes, where he should be losing himself in the part he is playing. All I can think of is what I heard him say in one of the many, many, many interviews released before the movie. He is just plain uncomfortable with the love scenes and it shows. I kept thinking "Jamie, you are not the one full frontal! Dakota is and she is into it! Are you that uncomfortable viewing a naked woman that is not your wife? Come on!"

Ahhh! The sex scenes! If you are expecting an erotic romantic movie... forget it! They had to give away a lot in order to secure the R rating for this movie. Now, I am not talking about crude sex for the sake of sex. I am talking about the eroticism that moves the audience where everything is implied, your mind is hooked and you are the one experiencing the emotions shown on the screen. That is the piece that is as tame as a lamb. Sorry, did not scorch me! The scenes are well choreographed, the acting is good, Dakota is fabulous, and although they do show some of the BDSM scenes, the emotion is dialed back.

Dakota Johnson is a definite surprise. She is sweet and vulnerable with a healthy dose of independence, intelligence and strength of character. She shines as Ana and steals the movie!

Finally, I have been reading a lot about groups that are prompting people to ban this movie saying it is abusive to women, not depicting the real lifestyle of the BDSM community, etc. NOT TRUE!

The books were hyped as heavy BDSM; the movie played up the advertising and we were all mesmerized by the Red Room of Pain. In the end, this is just a story of a damaged man who has no idea how to love a woman. He is damaged by his childhood experiences and the BDSM provided him an outlet for his anger and distress. This is the only form of loving a woman he has ever learned. Given the opportunity to meet a strong, independent and sweet woman who grows to love him, he is willing to try to love her, if she can show him the way. This is his journey toward "normalcy", whatever that means. It is a love story! Ana helps him transcend and learn how to love and worship her. Like any other relationship between a man and a woman, the two of them have to learn how to "negotiate" with each other in order to express their love, consensually, and passionately. We just have to wait to see if Hollywood can make the next two movies show that on the screen.

Amen!