“Fifty Shades Darker” Dumps the S&M and Any Pretense of Excitement
The breakup between Ana (Dakota Johnson) and Christian (Jamie Dornan) doesn’t last long. The billionaire begs the young woman to return to him. He promises that he will no longer try to make her his S&M “slave,” and he keeps his word, although at first he tries to control Ana’s life in every way. Meanwhile, Ana is building a career in publishing and attracts the attention of the attractive editor-in-chief, Jack Hyde (Eric Johnson). Along the way, Ana meets Elena Lincoln (Kim Basinger) – the woman who once instilled in Christian a passion for S&M.
“Why do women watch porn? Because they expect the characters to get married in the end.” This old joke isn’t true – women watch porn for the same reasons as men. But it accurately conveys the content of “Fifty Shades Darker,” the sequel to the sensational romantic blockbuster “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Ana and Christian have sex several times throughout the film, and in the end, the hero proposes.
This is the second part of the trilogy. The final part, “Fifty Shades Freed,” is scheduled for release in February 2018.
What Else Is There?
Is there anything else in the film? Aside from even more clunky dialogue than in the first film, there are only demonstrations of Christian’s exorbitant wealth. “What did you buy the last time you went shopping? – An airline.” Judging by the popularity of E.L. James’ books, on which the film is based, this is what many women’s secret fantasy looks like – a handsome billionaire who can’t live without you and who is ready to shower you with expensive gifts and take you to social events from morning to night. And all that is required of you is to tumble in bed and nag your beloved man when he is jealous.
Jamie Dornan starred with stubble because the first film was criticized for the fact that the clean-shaven Dornan did not look masculine and sexy enough.
Of course, men have similar fantasies, but they usually involve saving the world and fighting a dragon. Even in their dreams, guys believe that love must be earned. A woman only needs to be where a “prince” can notice her. And then everything is according to Bulgakov: “They will offer everything themselves and give everything themselves.” The heroine will only have to decide whether the prince is worthy of her hand. One can argue about which gender has more pleasant fantasies, but it is clear that male dreams are more exciting, dramatic, and cinematic. And when a woman’s dream is at the center of the narrative, the movie dies. No conflict – no story, and the audience in the hall falls asleep.
Lack of Intrigue
All of the above was also a problem with the first film, but there the intrigue was based on the S&M maneuvering of Ana and Christian. What will the heroine allow the hero? How far will he go without her permission? How will his attempts to make her a “slave” end? In the new film, however, despite its gloomy title, everything is sunny and conflict-free between the characters, and none of the supporting characters can disrupt their happiness for long. The planned love triangle falls apart faster than in “Twilight,” and Elena appears in action only a couple of times and achieves absolutely nothing when she tries to separate Ana and Christian. There are only three dramatic moments in the entire film, and only in one of them is it not immediately clear how everything will end. Who writes scripts like this? Obviously, those who, like screenwriter Niall Leonard, are married to the author of the original book…
Uninspiring Erotica
The erotica in the film is also disappointing. Short, dimly lit scenes with snorting, puffing, and homeopathic doses of S&M. Dornan’s body looks better than Johnson’s, which makes sense since the film is addressed to women. No whips, no blood, nothing shocking or unique. Sex as sex, slightly more frank and playful than usual in mainstream Hollywood films. This is not something worth going to the cinema for. We defended “Fifty Shades of Grey” with reservations, but there is nothing to praise the new film for.