Fifty Shades of Light

If you are a movie or a book buff, you have most likely come across Fifty Shades of Grey already. I was given a copy of the e-book but halfway through it, I stopped reading because 1) all the main characters ever did was have hard-core (the sado-masochistic way) sex, and 2) because of # 1, I could not figure out the plot. All that explicit sex scene made me wonder about the real point of the story.

The movie came out several months ago, and I thought it was a waste of time and money to watch it since the book's genre is erotica - in movies, that is borderline pornography.

But thanks to a free movie watching site (rainiertamayo.com), I managed to watch the movie today. An FB friend said he thought the movie was depicted with more artistry than the book. True, indeed. The cameramen were all good at taking chiaroscuro shots by dimming the lights and casting a shadow on the ehem parts of the actor and the actress. The actor, played by Jamie Dornan and actress, portrayed by Dakota Johnson, however need to polish their acting chops. Dornan's portrayal of Christian Grey, a troubled multimillionaire was not convincing enough. I think he should have spent some time with men who have sexuality problems, so he could get into his role. Johnson, on the other hand lacked something I could not quite put my finger on. She played the role of Anastasia Steele, an English lit major who fell in love with Grey, and who eventually became his submissive sex slave. I am not sure if it is Johnson's personality or if it was just the way she played the role, but it gave me the impression that all English majors are helpless and stupid because they are romantics, and thus they will easily be preyed upon by sex maniacs. I almost choked on my okra because she interviewed Grey without reviewing the questions first. I mean, hello? It is an SOP to go over the questions before you interview someone. Any sensible English major should know that.

I believe there is sequel of this movie because there are three books of Fifty Shades of Grey. The plot is simple and predictable. It is similar to a modern fairy tale. Grey is the prince who has his own issues while Steele is a princess who despite her naivete, has a good heart. Grey became a sadist because he was abused as a child, and Steele allows him to do whatever he wants because she loves him so much. The ending of the movie shows Steele saying goodbye to Grey because she couldn't take him anymore, but the sequel tells me that they will be back in each other's arms and even get married.

I guess I have to give credit to E.L. James' theme here - the only redeeming point of the story which is love conquers everything. Love can take you out of the dark. Love can destroy the walls that a cold person surrounds himself with. Love can change a person into someone more lovable and loving. But of course, this is not possible if the person is not opening his heart to that someone who is willing to love him. And this is something Mr. Grey has to learn just yet.