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E.L. James’ controversial erotic romance novel, “Fifty Shades of Grey,” had high hopes for the film adaptation since the trailer’s release last summer. However, the film, directed by Sam Taylor-Wood, was mediocre due to an obvious lack of chemistry between the leads.
The film follows the plotline of the novel and opens with shy college student Anastasia “Ana” Steele (Dakota Johnson) as she meets mysterious billionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) at his business’s headquarters. As soon as Grey meets Ana, he becomes infatuated with her and eventually invites her to pursue a BDSM (Bondage, Discipline, Sadism, Masochism) relationship with him. Despite her skepticism, Ana falls in love with Christian while exploring her own desires through a relationship that is both physically and mentally painful.
The intensely passionate relationship in the novel is nonexistent in the film, as the acting worsened with every intimate moment between Ana and Christian.
Jamie Dornan, while good-looking and somewhat charming, was a disappointing choice for the role of Christian. His dull facial expressions underscored his bad acting. At times he looked more like a Calvin Klein model than an actor.
Dakota Johnson played the role of a “confused college girl” well. However, readers are lost without Ana’s narrations, whereas readers understand her better through her thoughts and feelings in the novel.
Poor reviews have not kept fans from the movie theater, as “Fifty Shades of Grey” has earned over 500 billion dollars at the box office as of March 11. The next film in the trilogy, “Fifty Shades Darker,” is set to be released in 2016.
Nicole Williams | Editor-in-Chief
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