Controversial story well presented

Rating: Null/10 (19 December 2015)

I decided to view Fifty Shades of Grey without having read the book and with a limited awareness of the controversy around the movie. However, the only way to judge a movie is to actually watch it. So I did. My reaction was positive to the characters and acting and the excellent film-making.
Christian Grey, played by James Dornan, uses women to fulfil his particular taste for pleasure and the women he engages are free to leave him at any time. Based on the advice of his lawyer, he also signs ironclad contracts with each one. The previous women have all left him, some 15 altogether. This time, the young woman played by Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steele, is not about to rush in and there is an understanding on both sides to go slow for a while. Anastasia knows what the deal is and Christian is sincere about having her consent. However, Christian is not about to tell her what are his preferences in sexuality.
There is a definite courtship pattern, where the super-wealthy Grey, while serious and cool, can still be very seductive. There is a definite attraction on both sides. When negotiating the contract, she makes it clear that she wants certain clauses deleted. He agrees to her requests without hesitation. In fact, she can stop doing what she agrees to at any point in the relationship or at any point in their activities.
At one point, he finds out how inexperienced she is and proceeds to correct matters in a way that is erotic and sensuous. The next morning she is glowing with satisfaction. Her best friend can sense her happiness. The trouble is that Grey cannot go along with Anastasia's idea of a "normal" relationship. At his urging, she allows it to go in another direction and she does not stop him. She tries to get him to open up and discovers that he himself had a relationship in which he was dominated, by a friend of his mother. The lessons learnt stayed with him. We sense that Anastasia may be softening him but he is not about to set aside his cold demeanour or his tastes in sexuality.
After viewing the show, I was surprised at how benign this movie appeared to be, with the exception of one scene, which may have been toned down from the book. There a strong hint of romance from a man who does his utmost to avoid any semblance of a loving relationship. In fact, Grey seems to be completely in love with the young woman he meets in a hardware store, who is innocent and beautiful. One senses he is trying hard to please her without false pretences. It also ends on a note that was ambiguous but hopeful.
There are short performances in this movie by a number of actors, including a walk-on appearance by Marcia Gay Hardon, as Grey's seemingly sophisticated and classy mother, and also Max Martini as Taylor, the enigmatic chauffeur, who shares or adopts his boss's serious manner.
A provocative movie that was very well acted and beautifully filmed.