Extra star for the soundtrack

Rating: 5/10 (6 January 2016)

This movie is an example of what can happen when the author of a poorly written book has too much creative control over the movie adaptation. In particular, the source material is essentially a kinky-sexed up Harlequin Romance novel: entertaining but definitely not Pulitzer worthy. The screenwriters took what could have easily become a "backroom video" and created a commercial film by streamlining the plot, beefing up the comedic elements and toning down the erotica. Unfortunately, there were small plot turns peppered throughout the movie that were so disjointed that left the audience and (most likely) the actors struggling to understand the characters.
While Dakota Johnson did well in her portrayal of the naive Anastasia Steele, her scripted expressions often seemed unnatural. She did, however, project the appropriate emotions beautifully when left to her own devices. On the other hand, Jamie Dornan's swoon worthy looks could not help his performance. He was unbelievable as the prodigious-but- broken Christian Grey. His attempts at restrained and self possessed came across as frat-boy-creepy and his "boss mode" seemed whiny with the seriousness of a six year old playing make-believe.
Moreover, the soundtrack masked but couldn't completely overcome the utter lack of chemistry between the two actors. When they were supposed to be looking, lovingly, into one another's eyes, the only emotions conveyed were disdain and/or disgust. Unfortunately, most of scenes that would have make the audience believe these two characters were actually falling in love were cut.
In sum, while it's not the worst movie ever made, I wouldn't rush to DVR it.