O, the movie missed the main Thrust of the book!

Rating: 10/10 (15 February 2015)

The photography is stunning. The music is moving. The movie captures the overall spirit of the book. Dakota Johnson has become the real Anastasia Steele. Christian Grey's office, apartment, cars & helicopter showcase his wealth. The sex scenes were tastefully done with class. Having read the books, the plot was compelling and easy to follow. The sexual tension and interplay was captivating.
But, the movie completely missed what made the book so popular with its predominately female readers. As much as the viewers love the movie, there is the feeling that something has been left out from the book. Some say that the lack of character development made the movie boring. Some blame subplots that seem to go nowhere, but that's not the problem. After endless analysis and reviews, the "Fifty Shades" fans still can't put their finger on what's missing in the movie.
The book didn't sell 100 million copies because of the extraordinary plot. There are thousands of Cincerella-type stories in romance novels and fairy tales. The story of the young innocent girl coming of age with an older, wealthy, prince is not unusual. It happens all the time, both in literature, and in real life. Yawn.
So, what makes this book so special that it became a worldwide phenomenon? It's not the bondage. It's not the pain. It's not Christian's childhood with his resulting 50 shades of Grey. And it's not the sex. A lot of sexy books don't get translated into 52 languages. What makes this sex in this book different? Why have women in particular made "Fifty Shades of Grey" one of the best selling books ever?
Orgasms. Lots of orgasms. Lots of female orgasms.
For most of the book, Christian is a slow, patient, and considerate lover. He has enough experience to expertly and predictably bring women to the peak of sexual ecstasy, and maintain that that euphoria, until he pushes them over the edge, to an earth-shattering mind-blowing orgasm. Then, to the delight of the reader, he does it again and again until Anna is totally spent.
Unfortunately, there is not a single orgasm seen (or even mentioned) in the movie. A couple of times, Anastasia tilts her head back with obvious pleasure when Christian kisses her neck. The movie almost showed him kissing her panties, but quickly cut away. And, once the actual sex starts, the scene shifts to the couple lying together afterward. No screaming or moaning.
The book describes exactly how Christian did it. It described in great detail where he put his fingers, how he moved them, and how she responded to his touch. From Anastasia's detailed descriptions of her bodily sensations, the reader could experience her orgasms with her. You could vicariously feel the same tingling, the warmth, the wetness, the tightness, the fullness, and how Anna's full consciousness is delightfully focused right there her "at the apex of her thighs".
As Christian performed oral sex on Anastasia, the female readers can visualize how it feels, as if his tongue was pushing their own right button, so to speak. The descriptive passages may remind the reader of their own whole-body quivering orgasms of years past. Or, the reader may get some insight about orgasms that would allow them to feel the same exquisite pleasure that Anastasia felt. The reader may fantasize that their own husband or boyfriend has mastery of such skills, or that he cares to use them.
The movie missed the whole point of why Anna would even consider the BDSM contract. It's not because she was in love. Christian knew that, in spite of his words, the real magic happens when he takes the time to slowly build to an intense long-lasting climax. He understood the importance of savoring every delicious detail of Anna's breasts and vagina, worshiping her clitoris like never before. As the lyrics of the Pointer Sister's song "I' so excited" say, "If you move real slow, I'll let it go." In the movie, we never got to witness Anastasia letting it go.
Anna's own orgasm is critical to the plot of the story. For an inexperienced young woman like Anastasia, who has never has sex, who has never masturbated, and never experienced the joy of orgasm, you can see how she would never want it to end. "I have never felt so happy in my life. I would do anything to please that man."
At least 1/3 of the book is dedicated to sex that ends with Anastasia's orgasms. That explains her motivation, and also the motivations for women to purchase, read, and discuss the book. Millions of readers of the book want to feel the satisfying release that Anna felt.
I'm not suggesting that the movie should have shown the graphic sexual details, but the subject of orgasm could at least be simulated. Or discussed. Or even mentioned. The screenwriters missed the boat. Or the man in the boat!
I still give the movie a 5-star rating. It reminded me of Anna's sexual awakening that was so joyously described in the book.
But "O", it could have been so much more.