Review: 'Fifty Shades of Grey' doesn't live up to hype, anticipation
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Popular books tend to have built-in buzz when they hit the big screen, and for "Fifty Shades of Grey," a Valentine's Day weekend opening is only adding fuel to the fire.
Fans lined up late Thursday night to be part of the first showings, but entertainment reporter Sandy Kenyon say spending that kind of time just might not be worth it.
Here's his review.
If they gave Oscars for marketing a film, then "Fifty Shades of Grey" would be picked to win. Months of hype have led up to the release of a movie so eagerly anticipated that it scored a coveted midnight premiere opening.
But what readers of the books are actually going to see is a pale imitation of the original. I'm not saying the film is dull, but keep in mind it is called "Fifty Shades of Grey."
Jamie Dornan, from ABC's "Once Upon a Time," and Dakota Johnson, daughter of Hollywood stars Don Johnson and Melanie Griffith, generate no heat, and their lack of chemistry is fatal to the film, though her career will surely benefit.
Maybe it's because she is so great, and he merely looks great, that the two reportedly grew to despise each other during the shoot. And that makes sense. So does the discord between the director and the author of a book that's sold 100 million copies.
Mr. Grey is, of course, Christian Grey, a very rich businessman with very particular tastes that become obvious to Anastasia Steele, sent to interview him for her college paper.
Sexual control is his specialty, and yet the movie isn't even very sexy, more like vanilla cream warmed ever so slightly, and tasting it will leave readers who loved the book wondering if something is missing.
"Well, the movie's not going to live up to the book just because the book is way more in detail," one midnight movie-goer said.
Yes, detail. That is what's missing, along with just about everything else that makes a movie compelling.
Having read "Fifty Shades of Grey" myself, I certainly see what all the fuss is about. But I still needed another perspective on this one. So I took publicist Katie McCalister with me to an early screening, and she warns fans that you're in for all pain, no pleasure.
She calls Dornan "very hot," but notes his portrayal of Christian Grey seems forced and inauthentic.
There was a lot of nervous laughter in the theater for this one, but just a smattering of applause when it was over.
