Not perfect but does not deserve to be vilified

Rating: 7/10 (14 February 2015)

As a fan of the books, I have been looking forward to this film for a while. Yes, the books are flawed, God forbid anyone should be allowed to enjoy a book that is easy to read, about a gorgeous, unattainable, flawed Billionaire and a seemingly submissive brunette who manages to tame him. Forget the sex, it is repetitive. Every woman wants to be the woman who changes a man & makes him settle down. So the film...well maybe my hopes were too high. However, Johnson & Dornan do have chemistry. It's funny, perhaps even when it shouldn't have been, but there is an element of comedy to the book, so thumbs up on that one. The problem lies with the lack of detail. The first book is thin on plot really. It's all about will she sign the contract? No? How about a weeks free trial of life as a Christian Grey Submissive? Hmmm, yes please! Now will you sign? Er no. The End. The book is written from Ana's point of view & is composed of a lot of her inner monologue, which may not have won the book critics over, but is essential to the plot. This isn't in the film & it suffers for it. It's too rushed & unless you have read the books or are really easily pleased, you'll struggle to root for this relationship, as you can't quite see why she fancies him (despite the obvious), let alone falls in love with him. It needed another half an hour to put some important parts in from the book. Where was the interview with Jack Hyde, setting the scene for Film 2? Where was a proper meal with Christian ordering her to eat; we needed to see more of his issues. The belt scene was great but the ending, which nearly made me shed a tear in the book, was cut short with barely a whimper from the leads or the audience. More sex scenes wouldn't have been beneficial, it's a LOVE story, not a porno flick. Dornan seemed uncomfortable with some of the more 'honest' statements Christian declares: "I don't make love, I f**k hard" If you look carefully, you can see him cringing, as was I. In the book, it's quite hot. In reality...well perhaps some things are better left in between the covers of the book. If you love the book, you'll enjoy the film. I wish I had read no reviews prior to seeing it, as I feel I went into the cinema looking to pick holes. I will go back and see it again, more relaxed & knowing what to expect. It doesn't deserve the slamming it's getting from critics. Dornan is a talent & Johnson is exactly the Anastasia I imagined. It's too long a book for every detail to be included and that's always going to be a problem with book adaptations, but vital plots & character depictions were left out. The next film script needs serious consideration. Less art, more true to the book. It's a romance with kinky sex, not an abusive relationship. Christian may be rich and experienced, but Ana has the power in this relationship. Those who say otherwise, do not 'get' this series & would be well advised to steer clear.