Before the Fifty Shades Trilogy, E. L. James was a wife and mother of two. However, a single story would catapult her into the limelight of literary stardom. After publishing her novels, she experienced overnight fame as she became a beacon of astounding success to many. Though her stories received heavy backlash from critics and many groups, she became one of the few writers to have their novels and film adaptations exponentially succeed.
Film Adaptations
After publishing the novels in the Fifty Shades Trilogy, many media companies tried to acquire the filming rights for an adaptation. With a winning bid of $5 million, Universal won, leading to the production and release of the first adaptation in 2015.
Fifty Shades of Grey
Having the same name as the novel, ‘Fifty Shades of Grey‘ got released on February 13, 2015. The two-hour film featured a nearly-exact replica of the story. With Dakota Johnson acting as Anastasia Steele and Jamie Dornan as Christian Grey, the film became a massive hit as its 40-million-dollar budget gave rise to a box office gross of 569 million dollars.
The film tells the story of Anastasia meeting Christian after she fills in for her roommate, Kate. On interviewing him, Christian offers her an internship slot which she refuses. Ana meets Christian after a while at the hardware store she works in, and he asks her on a date. He saves her from an accident and tells her he is not for her. Later, Ana gets drunk and dials Christian, who immediately heads over to the party and interferes before Josei, Ana’s friend, kisses her. She wakes up in Christian’s room and agrees to go on another date with him.
Christian takes Ana to his home on a helicopter and reveals his specific sexual desires. They have sex after Ana tells Christian she is a virgin. After the sex, he hands her a contract stating the rules of a submissive. Though she collects the contract, she hesitates in signing it, and after trying to get him to admit he was in love with her, she decides to let him go all-out on her. Christian whips her with a belt, and she leaves him after realizing how difficult it will be.
Fifty Shades Darker
The next film in the series, ‘Fifty Shades Darker‘ was released on February 10, 2017, in the United States. It grossed $381 million on a $55 million budget. The film picks up from the previous and shows what happens after Ana leaves Christian.
Though she leaves him for a while, Ana finds herself longing for the man that hurt her. Now an assistant at the Seattle Independent Publishing House, she tries to focus on her work and forget about Christian. However, he shows up again and promises to change. Meanwhile, Jack Hyde, Ana’s boss, begins acting extra nice to her. She accepts Christian back but notices a strange woman following her. She gets invited to an expo by Jack but refuses and escapes after he tries to assault her.
Christian becomes more loving to Ana. However, he takes her to a hair salon owned by Elena, making her furious.
Ana eventually meets Leila, Christian’s former submissive, and after a brief confrontation with a gun, Christian de-escalates the situation by taming her. Getting Jealous and hurt, she begins doubting her decision to return to him. Realizing he will lose her again, Christian drops to his knees, surprising her. He later tells her of his mother’s demise and proposes to her.
Christian leaves on a business trip, and while on a ride in his helicopter, he crashes. Ana receives the news of his accident, and though she gets terrified, she tries to maintain herself. Christian later returns unharmed, and she accepts his proposal.
Fifty Shades Freed
Released on February 9, 2018, ‘Fifty Shades Freed‘ is the last film of the series. It grossed $372 million on a $55 million budget.
The film features Ana and Christian as newlyweds. After going on a vacation, Christian gets a report that Jack Hyde broke into his company. Fearing for Ana’s safety, he cuts the honeymoon short and returns to work.
Ana returns to work but agrees to go on an outing with Kate. Christian finds out and argues with her citing her safety as the reason for his anger. He surprises her with a trip to Aspen, inviting Kate and Elliot along. While in Aspen, Elliot proposes to Kate, and Ana reveals to Christian that she is pregnant. On telling him about her pregnancy, Christian gets agitated and tells her he knows the baby will get her love instead of him.
Jack Hyde gets released on bail and kidnaps Mia, Christian’s sister. He calls Ana and tells her to bring 5 million for Mia’s freedom. On reaching the drop point, Jack violently kicks her, but she manages to shoot him in the leg before passing out. Christian tracks her and rushes her to the hospital, where she recovers.
Awards
As a writer whose novels have sold over 150 million copies, E. L. James has bagged awards for her astonishing success. In 2012, she entered Time Magazine’s The 100 Most Influential People in the World. The same year, she received three other awards, including Publishing Person of the Year from Publishers Weekly, Popular Fiction Book of the Year from National Book Award UK, and Book of the Year from National Book Award UK.
FAQs
Who acted as Ana in Fifty Shades of Grey?
Dakota Johnson starred as Ana in ‘Fifty Shades of Grey.’ The film became a massive success as it grossed more than $560 million at the box office. The film followed the same plot as the novel and ended with Ana leaving Christian after he flogs her with a belt.
Who acted as Christian in Fifty Shades of Grey?
Jamie Dornan starred as the cold-hearted Christian Grey in ‘Fifty Shades of Grey.’ He also starred in the same part in the second and third parts of Fifty Shades.
Did Fifty Shades of Grey film win any awards?
Yes, ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ won many awards. The hit film received six nominations for the Raspberry Awards and won five, including Worst Picture.
