FIFTY SHADES FREED

US, 2018, 105 minutes, Colour.
Dakota Johnson, Jamie Dornan, Eric Johnson, Eloise Mumford, Rita Ora, Luke Grimes, Jennifer Ehle, Marcia Gay Harden, Bruce Altman, Arielle Kebbell, Callum Keith Rennie.
Directed by James Foley.

Shades of Grey, Shades Darker, and now the Shades are Freed – whatever that might mean.

Here is the third film in the series, based on the best-selling but not necessarily best-written, novels by E.L. James. This film and its predecessor were directed by James Foley. And the two stars, Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan are back again as is the villain of the previous film, Eric Johnson. Marcia Gay Harden appears as Christian Grey’s mother and you might glimpse Jennifer Ehle in the wedding sequence.

Wedding?

The film opens with Anastasia and Christian in love, going through a marriage sequence which could come from any romantic film. It is very lovey-dovey. And then they go off to a honeymoon on the Riviera, relishing the sun, the sun on bodies (although Christian has some rather prissy reservations about Anastasia on the beach), even more lovey-dovey giving a context for the sexual scenes.

So, what plot can ensue with such a happy ending at the beginning?

Ominous messages from Seattle, documents in safes, Christian finding that he must return to his business. Anastasia will go back with him – and resume her job at the publishing company, finding herself promoted. She would like to be called Ana at work but finds that Christian does put an emphasis on “Mr Grey� – so she becomes “Mrs Grey�.

Anastasia in this film is certainly very attractive, quite self-assertive, supporting Christian, even in some visits to the Red Room which, we remember from the past, is a domestic chamber for some sado-masochistic behaviour, hanky-spanky. Anastasia seems to be rather in control, happily devoting herself to Christian and his idiosyncrasies.

But, Christian himself? Still terribly serious. Still terribly controlling. Still insisting on intervening in Anastasia’s life and career. And absolutely no sense of humour. Probably at the wedding sequence he did smile but not very ostensibly.

Which means then that they have to invent some melodrama to have some plot. Not that life is always unpleasant – holiday in Aspen, Colorado, with Christian’s brother and sister. Plans to redevelop a mansion outside the. But, Jack, from the previous film, working with Anastasia but not getting her job, becomes even more of a dramatic heavy, stacking documents, attacking Ana at home, sent to prison, getting out on bail, becoming involved in more than a little abduction and financial demands.

Anastasia has to face all this crisis and does not want to tell Christian who has reacted very badly about the news that were all expecting, Ana expecting.

However, she is not exactly a damsel in distress and can drive a car at a more than mean pace, can conceal a gun and shoot it when necessary.

So, marriage, business, melodrama all as catalysts for freedom from the dark shades.

Those who can’t bear reading even a word on the screen at the end of the film and race towards the exit have to pause a moment because there is quite a sweet and twee sequence to bring the series to a close: pregnancy, children, Christian the smiling father… Whether Fifty Shades Family will have the same prurient appeal…?


1. The trilogy? The popularity of the novels? The range of readers, the reviews, the films, the marketing and the response?

2. This third film for the audience all three films? Attitudes towards the series? Audiences identifying with the characters, interest in them, the prurient touch?

3. Seattle, the city, the views, offices and buildings, apartment, country house? The Riviera? The musical score?

4. The treatment of the novel, an American story, the focus on sexuality, suggested, sex and dominance, sadomasochism? The roles of men and women? Love, commitment, marriage?

5. Christian, his past, his character, dominating, humourless, enjoying power, sadomasochism? Changing, falling in love? Anastasia and the development of a character, strong,
her work, career, love for Christian, the sadomasochism and her controlling his dominance? The development of each character?

6. The background of friends, the wedding, the mothers, business associates, Christian’s family? The issue of adoption and the consequences?

7. The opening with the wedding, the honeymoon, lovey-dovey? The sexual relationship – visual? Nudity? Christian and his possessiveness? Anastasia and her allowing him to be critical?

8. The files, Jack and the intervention? The back story? The assault on Anastasia? Losing his job, Anastasia’s promotion, collaboration from Liz? The attack on the house, his arrest, the bail issue, going to court? The phone call, his abducting Mia, Ana finding her? Anastasia and the secrecy, putting the trace in the bag with the money, the bank, Christian permitting it? Anastasia and her swift driving? Christian and the police? The confrontation, the melodrama, Anastasia hit, with the gun, shooting Jack?

9. Anastasia and her job, her work with the author, Christian’s touch of jealousy? The significance of the three for security, accompanying her all the time? At the office, being called Mrs Grey? The pleasant assistant and flirting with the security man? The boss, pleased with Anastasia’s success? Liz aggressive? Anastasia wanting to be self-sufficient? Christian intruding into the office? Her going to have drinks with Kate, the conversation? Christian’s reaction?

10. Christian, getting the huff, lacking humour, intense, his business work and trips, the importance of security? His love for Anastasia, mellowing, the Red Room, the sadomasochism, the hanky-spanky? His changing attitudes? Intimidating? The news of the pregnancy, his not being able to take it?

11. The visit to Aspen, the house, the scenery, Mia and Kate, Elliot, enjoyment, Christian playing the piano and surprising people?

12. The new house, the architect and her flirtatious manner, Anastasia intimidating her? Wanting a simpler house?

13. The discovery of the pregnancy, the discussion with the doctor, her telling Christian, his drinking, meeting with Elena in the text? Anastasia’s leaving, upset?

14. The melodrama with Jack, Christian and the pursuit? The rescue – and Anastasia something of a damsel in distress? But prepared with the tracer and with the gun?

15. The aftermath, Anastasia inviting Christian to the Redcap room?

16. The final sequence, the touch of the twee and the sweet, normal, marriage, children, family, the pregnancy…?