Romantic Hoopla

Rating: 6/10 (14 February 2015)

Based on one of the best selling titles of the century, "Fifty" introduces us to two unlikely candidates for a romantic match. He's has a disturbing set of ideas, originating in a mysterious liaison with a friend of the family. She has managed to remain pure in the modern world but surrenders to his magnetism when they meet. She's warned, but she still lets herself be trapped into his luxurious and dominant trap.
There has been a lot of controversy about what one was expecting to see in the film adaptation of the novels, when the package is delivered, the results are at best handsomely produced, well cast, but somehow has a truncated spirit, whatever that might be. That is the dilemma here: it tries to be both, and it's like having oil and water. Someone is going to get burned, and it might be the audience.
It's a handsome film, with depictions of a world we might never get to experience. There are sport cars, helicopter and gliders, expensive presents, clothes in a very exclusive and rarefied universe. He's all about money, power and control. On the other hand, she comes from more humble origins and has worked hard to achieve her present condition. She might be intelligent but has no idea on how to deal with relationships or judge characters.
Dakota is pretty, and her Anastasia is a lovely creation. She has expressive eyes and lips. Her nature is more emotional and vulnerable, with apparently average ambitions for her potential mate. Running into Mr. Grey proves troublesome because he's, well, more demanding, seductive, interesting, and maybe more of a pain in more than one way.
There is not much of a courtship. It is all presented in broad strokes. They meet, and the fire is ignited. He is aware that she might not be good for his designs; yet the implication is that he's now contending with new emotions and forces. For us to understand what impedes his embracing of this amazing love relationship, we might need to read the subsequent chapters or wait for the sequels.
So, we have flashes of what made the book a bestseller, without her commentary and reflection. Here is for us to see how a screenwriter had adapted a very straightforward but problematic relationship. Yes, there are hints and demonstrations of this being a Cinderella story, of this going into the pantheon of great love stories, but it's burdened by its origins. Is he a psycho? Is she just plain dumb. You would think that with all that money, therapy would have been more effective.
Then, there is the abrupt ending. They want to clear the air, fight, and soon we have an awakening, a door opens and shuts on us, leaving a very frustrated audience. We know it's not over, but I wonder how many people are going to be unsatisfied because these characters are after all, shells of some individuals who could be fascinating to know and find out more details about. We have seen a "love" story between two very pretty people but who have no idea where this might be going because they're forcing themselves to keep their eyes shut, their minds confused, and their intelligence bound.