“Freed” Is the best Fifty Shades yet, and this film even manages to be a little steamy
It may be damning with faint praise to call “Fifty Shades Freed” the best “Fifty Shades” yet, but this “climax” (in Imax!) to the trilogy of films based on E.L. James’ phenomenally popular bestsellers, is — unlike the previous entries — actually really mostly pretty good.
The previous films, “Fifty Shades of Grey” and “Fifty Shades Darker,” were risible erotic dramas that were barely erotic and over-dramatic. This film, like its blindingly attractive leads, has zero body fat. It’s focused on plot, and lots of it. This entry in the series zooms along like the film’s Audi R8. There is a whole season full of soap operatics in store for viewers here and that is partly what makes it so enjoyable.
“Fifty Shades Freed” opens with the Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) marrying billionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan). She wears something white and lacy to the wedding, and one half expects him to be in black leather (a harness, perhaps?). But he saves that gear for the red playroom.
Cue montage of the newlyweds taking their private jet off to Paris — the most romantic city in the world! — making love in a canopy bed (how traditional!), biking by the Louvre, and running through the rain to a café. It’s so cliché its downright charming.
Don’t worry fans, there still is some “kinky fuckery.” When Ana defies Christian by going topless at a beach against his wishes, he “punishes” her with some handcuffs and legcuffs.
“I should misbehave more often,” she purrs after.
Herein lies the pleasure of “Fifty Shades Freed.” The film seems to have an intentional sense of humor. It takes the romance fiction fantasy of an innocent young woman being wooed by a rich, hunky, but troubled guy to heart and never plays it seriously.
Alas, the honeymooners’ fun ends when there is news of a break-in at Grey Enterprises. Forced to return to Seattle, Ana and Christian must deal with the threat posed by her lecherous old boss, Jack Hyde (Eric Johnson). He is out for revenge. Christian is so protective of his new wife, he keeps a gun in a drawer in his desk. Ana finds the weapon, so expect that to go off before the end credits.
Christian also arranges for 24-hour security for Ana. This prompts a laugh-out-loud funny line when Ana’s assistant Hannah (Ashleigh LaThrop) makes a comment regarding Ana’s SAF bodyguard Sawyer (Brant Daugherty).
But back to the point. Apparently, marriage in “Fifty Shades Freed” is more than a bond for Ana and Christian, it is a form of bondage. He continues to keep her on a tight leash, following her every move. It’s almost creepy, and she almost minds, but this, the film explains, is how Christian expresses his love for her. Protection, however, doesn’t extend to the use of condoms, and the spouses soon have to discuss the possibility of kids. He wants them someday, which disappoints her.
“Babies mean no sex,” Christian insists fearing marital bed death. Dornan is so damn irresistible, he can pull lines like that off.
And Christian definitely wants to pull off Ana’s clothes and have sex. Just watch as he teasingly unhooks the top of a fabulously slinky silver dress Ana barely wears (She describes it in a way that produces another genuine laugh).
There are a few scenes in the playroom — one of which actually has Ana using her safe word because Christian is deliberately frustrating her with a sex toy. It becomes a teaching moment that helps the couple communicate better.
