Fifty Shades Freed: The Finale to a Controversial Trilogy

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/10)

Fifty Shades Freed (2018) is the concluding film in the Fifty Shades trilogy, directed by James Foley. This instalment follows the aftermath of Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) and Anastasia Steele’s (Dakota Johnson) wedding as they navigate their life together amidst external threats and personal challenges. The film attempts to wrap up the dramatic and erotic storyline of the couple’s tumultuous relationship.

Plot Summary

The story picks up with Christian and Ana as newlyweds, enjoying their life together while facing new challenges. As they settle into their marriage, they encounter threats from Ana’s past and Christian’s controlling nature. The film explores the couple’s efforts to overcome these obstacles and solidify their relationship, all while delving into themes of trust, loyalty, and personal growth.

Themes

Fifty Shades Freed continues to explore themes of dominance, submission, and the complexities of a high-intensity relationship. The film attempts to address issues of control and trust that have been central to the trilogy, but also includes elements of suspense and drama as external threats loom. The portrayal of these themes is a continuation of the franchise’s focus on the power dynamics between Christian and Ana.

Memorable Scenes

One of the notable scenes involves a dramatic confrontation with a former antagonist, which introduces a suspenseful element to the film. Additionally, the wedding and honeymoon sequences are designed to highlight the couple’s passionate connection, though they often veer into melodrama.

Performance and Direction

Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson reprise their roles with the same intensity and chemistry that characterized the previous films. James Foley’s direction focuses on providing a grandiose conclusion to the trilogy, though the film’s execution often leans towards melodrama rather than nuanced storytelling, or much to do with real power exchange.

Cinematic Style and Symbolism

The film’s visual style continues the franchise’s emphasis on luxury and opulence, with lavish sets and costumes that underscore the characters’ wealth and status. With product placement in over-drive, it can sometimes feel like one long advert for luxury bands. Symbolism related to control and freedom is present, though it may feel repetitive to those familiar with the previous films.

Critique

Fifty Shades Freed provides a conclusion to the trilogy, although it frequently slips into predictable and melodramatic territory. Its attempt to blend romance, drama, and suspense often feels uneven, with character development coming across as superficial. While the portrayal of BDSM remains as repetitive and one-dimensional as the lead relationship, lacking depth, growth and authenticity.

Christian Grey’s character is a confusing amalgamation of every alpha male archetype. He’s a multi-talented, larger-than-life figure, flying planes, sailing yachts, closing multimillion-dollar deals, and even playing the piano. Yet, despite this relentless display of skills, he ultimately becomes characterless, more of a checklist “alpha” than a fully realised individual. Giving him a flaw, like a drinking problem, might have made him a bit more interesting.

Anastasia, while cute and somewhat relatable, borders on dull. Her self-righteousness and lack of complexity make it hard to believe she’s worthy of such relentless pursuit by a handsome young billionaire. Christian is willing to sacrifice his dominant DNA for a woman who rejects the rules and punishment that so supposedly define him, raising the question: Is Mr. Grey perhaps really Mr. Beige?

The film’s obsession with wealth and luxury further confuses the intended dynamics of dominance and submission. Grey’s dominance is conflated with his lavish lifestyle, making it hard to tell whether the thrill lies in BDSM or simply in being flown to The Four Seasons in Paris. After all, would a butt-plug be quite as exciting in a local Travelodge?

Another confusing revelation occurs when Grey claims he is not actually a dominant, but rather a sadist, a statement that contradicts the entire premise of the series. This incongruous admission attempts to explain his (now misguided) desires as stemming from childhood trauma. While this introduces an interesting angle, it feels out of place and seems more like a last-minute attempt to attribute his dominant tendencies to something “broken” that needs fixing. Does this imply that only those with unresolved issues stray from “vanilla” sex? suggesting that true emotional well-being is marked by conventional desires?

Fifty Shades is undeniably an epic franchise, with the trilogy grossing $1.32 billion at the box office, proving the subject holds endless fascination. Yet, despite its glossy, blockbuster appeal, it falls short of portraying the true complexities of power exchange and BDSM dynamics. It instead offers a sanitised, safe version of edgy content, pleasing the masses with what is essentially modern-day Mills & Boon: provocative enough to titillate, yet so far removed from the reality it attempts to depict.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Continuation of the main characters’ story with familiar performances.
• Lavish production design and high production values.
• Attempts to provide resolution and closure to the trilogy.

Cons:

• Predictable and melodramatic plot elements.
• Product placement on steroids.
• Superficial characters.
• Repetitive themes and character dynamics.
• Controversial portrayal of BDSM that may not appeal to everyone.

Memorable Quotes

“You insist on defying me, Mrs. Grey. What should I do about that?”

Christian Grey

Rating

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.5/10)

Fifty Shades Freed provides a conclusion to the Fifty Shades saga, but its execution may leave some viewers wanting more. While it delivers on its promise of a dramatic finale, the film’s melodramatic elements and repetitive themes might overshadow its attempt to provide closure.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Fifty Shades Freed serves as the final chapter of a controversial trilogy, offering both familiar elements and new twists. While it may appeal to fans of the series, its uneven storytelling and dramatic tendencies may not fully satisfy those seeking a deeper exploration of its themes.

Related Films or Recommendations

If you enjoyed Fifty Shades Freed, you might also be interested in The After Series, The Kiss Quotient, or Addicted, which similarly explore themes of romance, power dynamics, and complex relationships.