Weeks after leaving her submissive relationship with Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan), Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) is flourishing in her new career at Seattle Independent Publishing. After a chance meeting with Christian, they decide to reconcile their differences and re-enter their relationship. The catch? No more rules. No more punishments. And no more secrets.
Anastasia happily resumes her relationship with Christian, this time under her own terms and conditions, and things are seemingly happy between them. However, the question of whether Christian can be happy in their ‘vanilla’ relationship is something that haunts Anastasia throughout the film.
Anastasia’s doubts and new challenges create conflict between Christian and Anastasia. Christian’s hesitance to open up about his traumatic childhood with Anastasia serves to make things tense between them. Another source of additional conflict within Christian and Ana’s relationship is the reappearance of Christian’s past submissives, Elena and Leila (Kim Basinger and Bella Heathcote, respectively) and the advances of Anastasia’s new boss Jack (Eric Johnson).
Anastasia feels threatened by Christian’s seemingly platonic relationship with Elena, and Christian is disturbed by Jack’s working relationship with Anastasia. Fifty Shades Darker also features considerably more chemistry and romantic tension between Dornan and Johnson’s characters, and greater character development.
The development of conflict and tension in the story line was thrilling and highly engaging. Costume designs and film locations were more ornate and ostentatious, and with songs from artists such as Sia, Taylor Swift, Nicki Minaj and Coldplay featuring in the film, the soundtrack is a blend of contemporary pop and alternative music.
Despite numerous noteworthy elements in Fifty Shades Darker, the acting of Dakota Johnson is a standout performance throughout the film. Johnson demonstrates her acting abilities as she reprises her role of Anastasia Steele. Her comedic timing and character development bring out a bolder, more confident side to Anastasia’s character, which has been something universally praised by critics.
Women of all ages have been enthralled by E.L. James’ bestselling series, where the fantasy of being in a relationship with an attractive, enigmatic billionaire has become their own. The Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy, and subsequent film adaptations, is a form of escapism. The story line, albeit unrealistic, is a new and exciting world of danger, mystery and adventure not seen in any other work of erotic literature. Fifty Shades Darker transcends the stigma that a woman’s fantasies are something to be hidden and repressed. It encourages women to celebrate their passion and be comfortable exploring their desires.
More intense, more dramatic, and more erotic than the first film, Fifty Shades Darker provides strong competition with the first Fifty Shades film. It is a book-to-film adaptation that not only remains faithful to the original text, but it also makes a strong impact upon the audience and provides newfound depth and dimension to the characters and plot.
Fifty Shades Darker is a film that allows fans to return to their favourite place to escape, and allow women to create their own rules for pleasure. Fans of E.L. James’ bestselling series will not be disappointed.
