Fifty Shades of grey is a controversial movie, and it covers the intricate succession of desire, command, and vulnerability. It is based on the life of Anastasia Steele, an innocent and inquisitive student of literature, who is attractively sucked into a turbulent relationship with mysterious billionaire Christian Grey. The book explores the emotional and physical relationship between them as well as the BDSM life that Christian lives and the problem of Ana not knowing her emotions and limits. The tone of the film swings between the elements of romantic fantasy and some darker and unsettling moments that leave the viewer wondering about the type of consent and the power games that take place.
The movie appears luxurious and sleek in terms of appearance, with a sophisticated level of cinematography and production design, which depicts the world of the rich and privileged that Christian lives in. The acting of Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan provide a physical chemistry that makes the changing emotional situation of the characters. The score also increases the intimacy and tension and the Red Room is a symbolic space both of liberation and confinement. The uneven pacing and tonal variations used in the film do not always promote its emotional appeal, however, and instead give it the vibe of a glossy fantasy, rather than a unified story.
The most memorable thing to me was the description of vulnerability and the emotional precariousness of exposing oneself to love and pain. The narrative will make one think about what makes us feel inclined to certain relationships and how previous traumas determine our decisions in the present. Although it presents some very valid concerns regarding boundaries, consent, and emotional safety, it sometimes borders these questions in favor of sensationalism. On the whole, the movie is a beautiful, although not perfect, study of human lust, and it strongly impresses about the strength of bravery we must find to address our greatest fears and aspirations about being together.
