Fifty Shades Darker

Is there any other film in the world in which the phrase “kinky f***ery” could be uttered seriously?

E.L. James’ smash series 50 Shades is back for its second installment, this time directed by James Foley following creative differences with previous director, Sam Taylor-Johnson.

Slick and showy, the film is pulpier than its predecessor as Christian’s (Jamie Dornan) exes all emerge from the woodwork to warn Ana (Dakota Johnson) about Christian’s inability to conform to a ‘vanilla’ relationship.

Dakota Johnson does a remarkable job at playing the mousey Ana sincerely, whose hair manages to remain perfectly coiffed and glossy for much of the film, and Jamie Dornan, to his credit, somehow captures the internal confusion of a sexual sadist with extreme mother issues now playing romantic boyfriend.

With far less time in the red room, the film’s sex scenes are less than steamy at best (not at all aided by the soundtrack) and it is truly baffling that Christian seems utterly incapable of removing his trousers entirely during intercourse.

Much like the first film, Fifty Shades Darker ends abruptly, leaving room for improvement in the final film, which is due for release Valentine’s Day 2018.

This isn’t for you if you’re looking for a cinematic masterpiece, but Fifty Shades Darker is a delightful cocktail of unintentionally amusing melodrama and lacklustre attempts at romance. Go with a girlfriend and don’t forget the wine. (ES)

★★

BY EMILY SHEN