The Screenwriter Killed the Essence of The Book.

Rating: 2/10 (16 February 2015)

I didn't go in expecting an Academy Award winning movie, but after hearing how much EL James fought to keep the movie as close to the books, I was disappointed with what they came up with. No... didn't need more sex scenes, but definitely could have added another 1/2 hr to develop the storyline and other characters in the movie. Books were definitely much better. Movie cut out way too much that helped create and develop the emotional attachment and chemistry I felt while reading the books. Storyline was too disconnected and rushed, and some parts out of sequence from the book. Friendships Anastasia has between her friends and Christian's body guard weren't developed enough either. Plus they make his body guard just seem like a chauffeur in the movie.
If you didn't read the books, you wouldn't understand the significance of when he says "Laters Baby" and when she says "Yes Sir". For example, in the books, Christian & Anastasia ' s emails back and forth were written a bit more formal with subject lines that were fun and teasing each other back and forth. . And always signed off by Christian with "Laters Baby". Both big phrases that became key to the books so much that you could buy t-shirts and other stuff with the phrases on it after the books came out. But in the movie, they're just words that wouldn't make sense if you didn't read the books. Book one wasn't my favorite though. Boring compared to the other 2. So I'm hoping the next 2 movies will be better written and more connection with the characters.
Hopefully they will hire a screenwriter & director who read all the books and knows what needs to be left in the story line.