So...
Some gals at work wanted to do a girl's night out to dinner and go see Fifty Shades of Grey. Hey! I'm a good sport and love to have a girls' night out so, I was game for it and went - fully expecting to be unimpressed by the movie.
I was totally impressed and I liked it very much.
First, let me just say: this ain't yo momma's Harlequin Romance!
In fact, it is not a romance at all. At least, not yet. I have NOT read any of the books - but I have talked to more than a few people who have. I know there are other parts of the story to come and while the movie leaves you hanging, it certainly does it's part to set that up. Even if you haven't read the books, I think the movie stands on it's own. If you pay close enough attention, you will see key clues into the psyche of both of the movie's main characters and you will realize there is more to come. (Has to be more to come!)
**I'm not going to post any spoilers, so you can feel free to read my review**
I haven't read any of this movie's reviews - I haven't read a lot of the hooplah over the "Christians' or Right Wings' " views vs. "Liberals' views". I can only comment on the "scuttlebutt" of those reviews and opinions and I have to say that if particular groups of people are upset over some of the "subject matter" in the movie (i.e., BDSM) then they are not being rational or fair to the story. In fact, one of my comments about "what I had heard" about the movie pertained to that very subject matter and it turns out it was unfounded - because the subject matter of BDSM is only an element of the storyline. It's not what the story is *about*. It has it's place in this story, and it is handled very well in the movie, but to say this movie is only about that element or that it is only about an abusive relationship is wrong.
As I said, this is not a romance. IMO, it's more like a psychological drama or thriller. It is a story about 2 people who meet and are insanely and intensely physically attracted to each other. Each one wants and at the same time doesn't want the other and they spend a great deal of the movie in a push/pull type of relationship. It's highly erotic and sensual in a lot of parts of the movie, and distressingly dysfunctional (IMO) in others. Again, those elements are integral to the plot. (You can't get *here* without going *there*, for example.) She's in over her head - but so is HE. Both of them are completely out of their comfort zones in their feelings for the other one. OH sure, there's plenty o' nudity (tons of Dakota Johnson's boobage for the guys), somewhat graphic sex scenes (depending on your views) and even a scene or 3 of the very tight butt of Janie Dornan for wimmens to get the vapors over.
[insert sophomoric humor here]
However, I think the wild accusations about the subject matter (BDSM) are by people who have not seen the movie or read the books. This is a good relationship story! It's as good a relationship story as any other. Yes, there are elements in the story which are very dysfunctional and quite disconcerting, even. However, it is a great study of human nature and what makes people tick, and that is what really intrigued me about the movie.
I am really interested in seeing how the relationship develops and I am certain sure there will be more movies, as there are 3 books. I wasn't going to read the book(s), and right now I have several other books on my reading list to get to so I don't have the time. I still may at some point, though.
After my telling him about the movie's plot, Foxhound asked if I wanted to go see it again. So, we went together and watched it, also. He pretty much felt the same way about it as the review I just gave. Had it not been for the fact that I said I found the movie very interesting and actually liked it - he'd have never gone to see it.
Out of a possible 5 thumbs up:
Bann:
Foxhound:
