REVIEW: Fifty Shades of Grey

Running time: 125 minutes

Starring: Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Eloise Mumford, Jennifer Ehle, Luke Grimes, Victor Rasuk, Andrew Airlie, Marcia Gay Harden.

Director: Sam Taylor-Johnson.

Released: February 13 (UK & Ireland)

A MAJORITY of the national critics (mainly men) might have failed to recognise the successes of this adaptation of EL James’ bestselling book, but fans of the novel (mainly women) will be delighted by the film’s achievements.

Girl power via word of mouth turned the book into a worldwide smash and will surely do the same for this film once the ladies get talking.   

A key trio of women, James herself, British director Sam Taylor-Johnson and screenwriter Kelly Marcel, have stripped away the verbiage for the movie and created an adult romance with the perfect balance of smoldering, seduction and, of course, sex.

Scenes of the latter, which are dotted throughout the running time, fully deserve the film’s 18 certificate but never feel over-extended or gratuitous.

James openly admitted that she'd been inspired by classic movie romances (among them Richard Gere at the piano in Pretty Woman and the gliding sequence in The Thomas Crown Affair remake) so it's no surprise that her tribute set pieces work well in this new context. 

Dakota Johnson is perfectly cast as naïve student Anastasia Steele, whose sexuality is finally awakened when she interviews, and connects with, billionaire businessman Christian Grey (an impressive turn from Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan).

She bites her lip (as detailed at length in the book) and bats her eyelashes innocently while he decides that he wants to get to know her better.   

But she is surprised when he introduces her to his ‘red room of pain’ and explains that he would like her to become the submissive to his dominant.  

The great strength of this assured film is its focus on its appealing central couple, whose sexual tension is scorching in every scene they share.

There’s a welcome sense of humour throughout, which quite often deflates the potential ridiculousness of key events – the signing of the contract – and helps an audience further engage with Anna and her endearing awkwardness in the face of a man this intimidating. 

Effectively soundtracked, it also surrounds its key duo with talented actors such as Jennifer Ehle and Marcia Gay Harden, all of whom will have more to do in the rest of the trilogy, if the next two films are made.

At the screening I attended, there was an audible gasp of disappointment when this first instalment was all over, plus a general feeling that what could have been a bomb is instead a hugely entertaining and credible romance.

Clever Sam has definitely left her audience wanting more.

If this reception is replicated elsewhere, the sequels are assured.