Fifty Shades of Grey Movie Review + Giveaway

My Thoughts

Super sexy, visually seductive and unexpectedly funny.
It delivers in every way!

My Review

As part of the #OfficialFifty crew, I was able to attend the Fifty Shades First screening hosted by the Today Show and Universal Studios. For me, the book introduced me to a more expansive world of romance, it exposed me to an indie community I was not yet a part of, and it got me hooked on reading sizzling love stories. And so, I had big expectations as I sat down for the screening at Ziegfeld Theater one cold Friday morning in New York City.

I’m thrilled to say it delivered in every way and more. The film was a slow, seductive burn with the tumultuous love story of billionaire Christian Grey and student Anastasia Steele at it’s center. It was very true to the book, and did a great job of capturing Ana’s hesitance to enter Christian’s world of dominance and submission, despite the intensifying sexual tension and connection between the two of them.

The sex scenes were handled expertly. They both didn’t shy away from what they were, but they were also not gratuitous, nor did they go overboard. They were managed elegantly and tastefully, with flashes of skin that danced on the edges of risqué. It was hot!

Jamie Dornan’s portrayal of our favorite tortured alpha male was great. As the movie continued, I felt his performance intensified, betraying more of his vulnerability as his semblance of control wavered each time his lovely Miss Steele challenged him.

Dakota Johnson blew me away. Frankly, I’d been unsure of her casting, but not only did she fully take on the role of Anastasia Steele, beautifully capturing both her strength and naiveté, but also adding her own nuanced dimension into the role in a way that really worked. Her contagious humor, her impeccable timing, her charged gazes filled with both uncertainty and desire, were simply perfect. I assure that you will be thoroughly impressed with her performance.

There were some really great scenes. Elevators. Elevators. Elevators.

The intro scene at Grey Enterprises was fantastic, as was the hardware store scene when Ana was working at Clayton’s. One of my very favorite scenes is when Ana calls Christian from the bar, shortly after they meet, which was a great example of how Ana quickly began to disrupt Christian’s carefully controlled life in unexpected ways. The Red Room was staged in a lush, elegant, but of course, shocking way. They did a great job with it. In fact, I thought the entire look of the film was seductive and enticing, in color and cinematography. And the end… perfect. It will leave you breathless in a heart-stopping way that made me forget I already knew the novel’s ending.

Overall, there are so many moments that will have you swooning, laughing, smiling. The movie did a stellar job of adapting the book to screen, while injecting its own vibrancy into the story. Romance and seduction, control and loss of it, push and pull, sex and love… Fifty Shades of Grey delivers, drawing in new and hesitant fans, and keeping devoted readers happy.

Movie Related Links

Trailers + TV Spots | Posters + Photos | Soundtrack | Earned It Video
Love Me Like You Do Video | Salted Wound Video

Reading Order and Links

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