Fifty Shades of Grey

UK Release Date: 13th February 2015

Literature student Anastasia Steele's life changes forever when she meets handsome, yet tormented, billionaire Christian Grey (www.imdb.com).

Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson (Nowhere Boy)

Starring: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Jennifer Ehle, Marcia Gay Harden, Rita Ora

Critics have slated Fifty Shades of Grey, but audience opinion and its opening weekend grossing have proved most critics that the phenomenon is still strong, and that it doesn't take a huge deal to make a huge deal. Originally a Twilight fan-fiction novel, author E L James made it into something entirely different, a sort 'no bars held' approach to romance. It's raunchy, explicit and a complete taboo. Sam Taylor-Johnson has procured a feature-length film worthy of its fans and does little damage to the book. The film is played out in two halves; the first sees book-geek Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) meet hotshot billionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan), with instant attraction. The catch: Anastasia must sign a contract saying she will submit herself to his will, sexually. A cat and mouse style of flirting emanates. Anastasia plays hard-to-get but is attracted to Christian's mysteriousness. Johnson is magnificent; her personality cuts highly above Dornan's, who, for the sake of those having not read the book, comes across as a womaniser and a jerk. Little is given away about his disturbing past. This is where the problems lies; Grey is underwritten to the point where he's less than ambiguous, and it's obvious that Dornan struggles with this, especially in the second half, whern the romance starts to heat up and take a serious turn. The sex is toned down from the book (fair treatment as there are some parts too dirty or sickening for the big screen), but not tainted by the few cheesy lines it has. Don't worry though, there's plenty of it. Dornan and Johnson's dignities are saved albeit a shot here or there. The sex scenes, which make up about a fifth of the overall running time, feel a little choreographed. Maybe some improvisation and a little freedom next time. The spark is there, all it needs is a little edge.

3/5