Fifty Shades of Grey (book 1) Movie Review
Let me start by saying where I come at this from. I loved the Fifty Shades Trilogy books. Say what you want about the writing, but the story grabbed me in, turned me on, and made me start this blog 3 years ago. The movies are never as good as the book, how can they be? There is no way to squeeze a book, which is 19 hours via audiobook, into an under-two-hour movie. But I personally think they did a great job of it, way better than I expected.
I read the books in 2011, so its been a long while, and I chose not to do a re-read so I wouldn’t be comparing the books to the movie. I’m very glad I did it that way, because I hadn’t even remembered the end! Before this week, I was also not a fan of the casting at all. I had no opinion on Dakota, but Jamie Dornan doesn’t do it for me (Jessie Pavelka is still my CG). There were so many scenes in the book where women were swooning overĀ Christian, but I am not sure I would even take a second look at JamieĀ real life…until I saw the sex smirk. OMG.
Dakota was AMAZING. She played the sweet, clumsy, innocent Ana perfectly. She was hot in the sex scenes and playful and funny and she never felt like a doormat. Jamie grew on me. While a few scenes he seemed a little stiff, I think it is more the Christian Grey character than Jamie himself. That was something I do remember in the book–Christian’s stoic, emotionless personality at the beginning, to Ana’s lively vivacious one. And I loved how she brought the more fun side out of him sometimes, if even through a little sexy grin. Jamie played Christian a little softer than the book as I remember it, he was missing some of the intensity of the Christian Grey I remember.
Since Fifty Shades of Grey was originally Twilight fanfic, I think they payed homage to the Twilight movies in this. The piano score was startlingly similar and used throughout the movie, since they both take place in Washington, the scenery is similar, and one scene was so reminiscent, I expected Christian to tell Ana he was a vampire.
The sex scenes were way hotter than expected. They leave enough to the imagination to not be porn, but damn, they were still scorching for a movie! The red room of pain was gorgeous, as was Christian’s apartment and the Washington scenery featured throughout the film. And the score was just perfect, and added so much to the film.
As I said above, a 19 hour book condensed into under two is not an easy task. Of course important scenes and details will be left out! (I’m not sure I’d want to see the tampon scene anyway). I think that did an excellent job of choosing what goes in, and keeping those scenes very true to the book. I still wish it were a bit longer and included more, but #2 & #3 will be coming eventually!
Likes:
- I loved Dakota as Ana! Perfect casting.
- Super hot sex scenes weren’t left on the cutting room floor.
- Janie Dornan’s sexy smile (and his “root!”)
- Well thought out choices of scenes to include to tell the story.
- They didn’t try to sneak in the inner goddess.
- Amazing score.
- Sex scenes were hot, but tastefully done.
Not sure about:
- I still don’t LOVE Jamie.
- There was a lot of Twilight reminders, not sure if I liked or didn’t like that.
Dislikes:
- There were some production inconsistencies that drove me crazy. After he gives her the Mac, they show her using it from behind, and it’s a PC screen! Christian brings two wineglasses into a room, and suddenly there is ice in one.
Rating: 4.75 stars, 5 heat for a movie!
Tracy H says
Thank you for your review! I’m so glad to hear you say you didn’t reread the book. I was debating and decided not to either. I thought it might ruin me on the movie too. I’m not fighting the crowds to see it this weekend – starting to think I should though. So excited!! š
Melissa D says
I went and saw it last night and really enjoyed it. I will say that I think some of the scenes seemed rushed like we were jumping from one part of the book to the next too fast with too many parts left out. I knew it would end like it did….just like the book but I am anxiously awaiting Darker and Freed and hope they don’t take too long to come out. I would definitely see it again!!
Gina says
Thanks! Im still not convinced of Jamie being Christian either. The book is much better.
Elizabeth O'Roark says
Good to know! I’m not seeing it until next Friday, and the reviews were starting to scare me off!
Karen G. says
Thanks for your thoughts on this movie. I know this started as fan fic from twilight and I have a loved the books but not the movies so much. When I watched one of the trailers for FSOG all I could see was Twilight and that bummed me out some. I am happy to hear that Dakota was perfect for the role. I had seen her in a couple other movies and she was so unmemorable that I didn’t think I would like her as Ana. I was not happy with the casting of Jamie either but as a real person has won me over after watching a few appearances and he seems so down to earth and funny. Not sure when I will see it as my husband refuses to go but might end up going with a friend.
Junis says
Spot on review! Guess I’ll have to go see it again to check out the MAC v/s PC error I missed.
Eva says
I love your reviews and have always trusted your opinions. My sister watched it last night w/her friends and she told me they all loved it. Her review was similar to yours. I will definitely watch it this weekend.
Tiffany says
I love this review. I was excited to see it, but now I absolutely can’t wait. So relieved that everyone is positive about Dakota (she was my ? for the movie.) Thanks so much for the review!
Joanne 112 says
I really liked your review. I have not seen the movie, I’m going to wait until Monday or Tuesday.
Thank you for your comments on Dakota. Congrats to Dakota Johnson. I have read some not so nice comments on Dakatoa being cast as Ana. I so glad she did a good job. For me I too see Jesse Pavelka as my Christian, but I’m not sure he is an actor.
I hope this movie make tons and tons of money because Hollywood only speaks money. If we want more sexy movies geared toward women we need to support this movie. Money talks, bullshit walks.
E.L. James thank you for getting me back into reading. I’m so happy for her.
Caitlin says
I was not a fan of Jamie as Christian either. Dakota was FANTASTIC . I think if it wasn’t for her I wouldn’t have liked the movie. I didn’t love it and I didn’t hate it.. I just wanted more from Jamie as Christian.
Jenny Rapp says
Great review. I saw the movie today, and absolutely loved it!! I am the reverse with the characters, prior to the movie, I thought Jamie was perfect and I was iffy about Dakota. However, they were GREAT together, and I saw a ton of chemistry between them. I have read the trilogy probably 8x and recently reread the entire series, and am very glad I did. I thought they were on detail with the book and when they had to divert they did a great job adapting it to the big screen.
JennSmith says
Totally agree with your review! Felt the same way about Jamie. Christian is described as being drop-dead gorgeous, a Greek God, and draws the attention of all females. Jamie is very attractive, but not as hot as I picture Christian. You’re right, his smirk is hot. Also, thought his emotions were perfect during the belt screen. You could see so many emotions- weariness at first, emotional pain, then you could see the emotional release he was getting along with being turned on. I thought Dakota was fabulous! Loved the drunk dial screen. And, when they got out of the car to take a walk, I whispered to my friend, “this is where he tells her he’s a vampire.” Thanks, Ana!
Jennifer says
I think your review is spot on. I loved Dakota’s depiction of Anna, but still not in love with Jamie as Christian. The wine glasses irritated me too! I like what they chose to show in the film and am looking forward to the next two.
Kristin says
Great review. I largely agree with you. I too loved the FSoG books when they came out, and I can’t deny the huge impact they had, not only on my reading choices since then, but even my personal life. I actually DID try to do a re-read last week. When I originally read them I didn’t have a complaint one about the writting, but if I’m being honest, I definitely see it now. Idk if that’s because I’ve read SO many books since then or because I wasn’t as engrossed in the story itself this time around, but the writing isn’t the best. š
I had NO expectations for the movie, and I didn’t care for the casting at all. That said, I ended up loving the movie. I thought they did an amazing job. They made Ana more assertive and less awkward. She was kind of funny and I think that helped a lot. The soundtrack is wonderful too. The protests I’ve seen people making about domestic violence and rape, make me so mad!
Kristin says
Also, when I first read the books I really didn’t see the similarities to Twilight, but NOW I’m almost embarrassed to admit that! The similarities are abundant and painfully obvious! I think the movie made them easier to see. When Ana went to his parents house for dinner and his sister came running to see Ana? I totally pictured Alice running to meet Bella!
Judith K Pitts says
I loved the books and the movie, I knew they wouldn’t be able to get all 3 books into one showing, but I hope they don’t wait to long before they show the 2nd movie. I thought the part of Christain was a little different than I amagined, but I thought the actor did a great job as well as the girl who played Anastsia. I would recommend this book to all women and men if they would enjoy it, my husband read it and thought so, so, but at least he read it. Hurry up and get the next movie started. The first was pretty much right on. The only thing was Anna never did sleep in that bedroom met for her, She always slept with Christain.