Better than the book but Dornan is better on the eye than he is on the ear!

Rating: 8/10 (14 February 2015)

I've given this film 8 out of 10 as Dakota Johnson is a credit as Anastasia and the director has done an amazing job at making both Anastasia and Christian more witty, which appealed to my husband and I.
Several scenes were omitted from the book, or adapted. Some I felt should be in there, but the majority within good reason. I understand that the director fell out with E.L. James, but I think she did favourably to a book which is, at times, difficult to handle. There is less sex, far fewer emails, and no mention of that damned inner goddess. Hallelujah!
For the sakes of security, my next comment is kind of a spoiler.
without giving too much away, the end is a difficult pill to swallow. There is a lot of question about consent in the book, but this is beautifully enhanced in the film, with constant emphasis that nothing is signed and therefore Christian always asks Ana whether she wants whatever he has planned,if he trusts her etc. From someone who is ... umm... 'adventurous', I wouldn't say any of it is abusive. Several times Chrisstian asks Ana if she wants more. Whilst she doesn't say yes, she's not kicking and screaming, either. In what we do, one does not always say "I am going to do X to you, do you want me to do that?" Sometimes, all one needs to remember is safewords. In the scene which brings up questionable abuse, Ana is reminded of her safewords before it begins. Previously before, Christian tells her he's f**ked up, and Ana orders him to show her. In my opinion, to a degree she brought it on herself, and to not use her safeword is her own doing. HOWEVER, the 'Dominant' should always terminate a scene if he feels the 'submissive' is not handling it well, and for that reason I feel that leaves a bad taste in the mouth at the end of the film. He does so well for himself until that point, that is the point Christian stops being passionate, witty and intense and becomes a violent monster with a distinctive lack of self-control, which has it's consequences.
The sex scenes are hot, and aside the last kinky scene mentioned above, they are all erotic with hot sex. There is some nudity from both parties, but it is almost artistic nudity and sex. I personally feel that to define it as 'pornographic' would be wrong. It is carnal and intense, but not at all fast and animalistic. It is as it would be for two people who are unreserved with each other, intense, and passionate.
Sadly, I do feel that Dornan is a let down. Aesthetically, very pleasing! The way he saunters around in suits and ripped jeans? Well, 10 out of 10! But his voice? No pitch, no tone. He might as well of been reading the script off. We get it, he's supposed to be all emotionally screwed up, but what his face says and what his voice says are two entirely different things.
In all a good film, but Dornan distinctively lacks any spoken emotion in his role. He almost sounded like he'd rather be anywhere but filming a multi-billion dollar film.