Introduction
February 10, 2017, was the date when Fifty Shades Darker was released. It was the second part in the trilogy based on E. L. James’ best-selling book series. In this film about the love and conflict between Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele, the cruelest love affair is explored more deeply. While the previous one examined intimacy and ego, this one has a greater focus on intimacy, emotional damage, and interruption interspersed with dramatic mysteries. The second part of the trilogy also focuses on greater suspense elements.
Plot Overview
The story progresses from where Fifty Shades of Grey concluded, with Anastasia Steele deciding to end the relationship with Christian Grey because of his emotional issues. She subsequently attempts to turn her life around by pursuing a career as an editor for a well-known publishing company. Unfortunately for her, Christian professes his love for her and offers to take her back, allowing her to set the terms of their relationship.
The rekindled love is, however, challenged by Christian’s former lovers. Leila Williams, the submissive that Christian dominated in the past, returns with an unhealthy obsession that can only be attributed to his emotional distress. Simultaneously, Elena Lincoln, Christian’s aged instructor and trigger to his dark sides, also brings along her share of problems. These interrelated associations depict a part of Christianity’s personality that requires Anastasia to simultaneously learn how to love and deal with disorder. His secrets are being revealed.
The emotional peak of the film gets established from the climactic masked ball, where Christian proposes to Anastasia. The act of removing masks, on the surface, and placing them on metaphorically signifies the acceptance of their true selves, which sets the tone for the entire film.
Cast and Crew
- Director: James Foley
- Screenwriter: Niall Leonard
- Producers: Dana Brunetti, Michael De Luca, E. L. James, Marcus Viscidi
- Based on: Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James
Cast
- Dakota Johnson as Anastasia Steele
- Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey
- Kim Basinger as Elena Lincoln
- Bella Heathcote as Leila Williams
- Eric Johnson as Jack Hyde
- Marcia Gay Harden as Grace Grey
- Rita Ora as Mia Grey
- Luke Grimes as Elliot Grey
Production Highlights
After Sam Taylor-Johnson’s exit, James Foley leaned into a vision that was darker and more suspenseful for his installment of the series, ‘Fifty Shades Darker’. Filming began in February of 2016, and the stunning locations of Vancouver and Paris served as breathtaking backdrops. Among the film’s most visually striking moments is the masquerade ball, which encapsulates the extremes of secrecy and revelation that is embodied by the relationship of both Christian and Anastasia.
The film was released strategically on Valentines to appeal to the romantic markets. With the box office haul of $381 million dollars globally, it further cemented the appeal of the franchise despite its polarizing views.
Analysis & Themes
Fifty Shades Darker embodies the same themes of trust, vulnerablitiy, and healing as its predecessors. At its heart, the movie is centered around Christian Grey’s need for control due to the trauma he endured and working towards healing through emotional intimacy with Anastasia.
Anastasia is, nevertheless, the very image of strength and self-worth. Love cannot make her compromise on the standards that she sets, as those are non-negotiable. For one, she will always put her foot down and make sure that honesty and respecting others are non-negotiables in the relationship. These two are stuck in a superbly complex power struggle filled with intricate layers of trust and redemption, ever looking for equilibrium, and the push and pull of their relationship heightens the complexity.
The character of Leila Williams represents what it means to be emotionally hurt and not having healed properly, and on the other hand, Elena Lincoln depicts the dangerous side of manipulation and power. These women compactly paint the picture of why it is paramount to deal with the past in order to ensure a better tomorrow.
In a different light, the masquerade ball gives a peek to what masquerades Aristotle and Anastasia engage in their relationship. While for Christian, it is a mask of control, he has given Anastasia the ‘Barca’ of not knowing whether she could ever completely place her faith in him or not. Cumulatively, the unmasking will signal an entire new level of emotional honesty.
Critical Reception
Fifty Shades Darker has piqued the interest of both its critics as well as its audience. It holds an eleven percent recommendation score on Rotten Tomatoes, however, it has been subjected to criticism due to its erratic and uneven writing style, where a number of reviewers places it towards the exercises of suspense fiction, rather than romance. In spite of these reservations, there is wide acclaim for the focal character of the film Anastasia, praise is given for the amount of depth Dakota Johnson brought to the role. Jamie Dornan who acted in the first film also took on the mantle of Christian for this one and is noted for bettering while his performance was also infused more emotion than what was in the first film.
The movie was well received by fans of the novels because of its intriguing examination of the protagonists’ relationship within the context of the unwavering tension.
Film’s efforts have paid off through the success of the movies’ soundtrack, which included the huge single “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever,” sung by Zayn Malik and Taylor Swift. This top-ranked duet further added romance and suspense to the movie, and complemented its themes well. Other songs ensured the music further amplified key moments and stayed with the audiences long after the film ended.
Fifty Shades Darker also sparked the discussion about the representation of BDSM relationships in the public space. Everyone from supporters to opponents debated the ethics of its representation, with some people saying it normalized negative stereotypes, while others respected it as a means of bringing up important topics around consent and trust.
The film managed a box office gross of $114 domestically and $267 internationally, putting it in the same boat as the other movies, regardless of the controversy it agitated.
Conclusion
Even though Fifty Shades Darker did not have favorable reception from all critics, it achieved what it intended: deepening emotional stakes between Anastasia and Christian. The mix of romance, suspicion, and self-reflection was enough for the sequel to continue captivating audiences and firmly establish its place within the saga. Furthermore, it served as a reminder to audience that love, despite being messy and imperfect, can heal and transform.
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