When a film is rumoured to have significant nudity (usually at the female’s expense) before it opens in cinemas and its origins are from the American Hollywood studios then usually something has to have been sacrificed. In the case of ‘50 Shades of Grey’, the script seems to have been the casualty here and thus the film’s storyline. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, I am reliably told (this film reviewer has not read the book) the script used in the film does not do the book justice. From a storytelling perspective, the film is essentially two hours of watching a pretty messed up good looking guy trying to persuade an innocent sweet girl to submit to his demeaning sexual / relationship demands. (A contract is even involved!). On the odd occasion some comic lines are delivered but not enough to save this film.

For those that that have not read the book then the polite story line goes something like this:

Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson – daughter of Melanie Griffith), a literature student, goes to interview the wealthy Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) and encounters a beautiful, brilliant and intimidating man. The innocent and naive Ana starts to fall in love with Christian as she spends more time by his side. Not able to resist Ana's beauty and independent spirit, Christian admits he wants her to, but only on his own terms. Ana hesitates as she discovers the singular tastes of Christian Grey - despite the embellishments of success, his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family - Grey is consumed by the need to control everything.

Don’t get me wrong, this film reviewer thinks nudity and sexual relationship stories have their place in cinema and there are many fine examples of where they have succeeded – ‘Betty Blue’ (1986) or ‘The Dreamers’ (2003). More often than not however it has been in the European film circles such as the two examples I mentioned above and not in the American market. Films like ‘Showgirls’(1995) where our desires were encouraged to ‘let go’ have often bombed and ended up winning the ‘Raspberry Awards’ (The awards for the worst film of the year) highlight how this formula just doesnt seem to work in the hands of some American directors.‘50 Shades of Grey’ will make money because it is based on a very unique and best-selling book hence the curiosity value. In fact currently as of opening day in Australia, it has beaten ticket sale wise the first ‘Twilight’ and ‘Hunger Games’ films which is quite an accomplishment. The main actors - Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan will get exposure consequently but will it be the sort that they will want to be remembered for? Does Dakota’s performance in the film set her apart from other female actresses of today – I think not. There are two sequels planned for this series and as it stands now it presents itself like a bad TV show drama. If you read the book and liked it, I suspect you may be disappointed with this film.