Fifty Shades Freed Review: 3 Ups & 7 Downs

3. The Cast Is Totally Wasted

Whether you want to admit it or not, these films are actually relatively well-cast, with talented actors trying their best to keep straight faces while they collect the easiest, awkwardest paychecks of their careers.

First off, Kim Basinger was originally stated to appear in the film, and despite showing up in trailers, is oddly nowhere to be seen in the final cut, even though her character is mentioned at a pivotal point, and it's clear that a subplot involving her was left on the cutting room floor. Getting paid and not having to appear in the movie? It's probably for the best.

Elsewhere, Marcia Gay Harden gets a few fleeting minutes of screen time as Christian's mother Grace and is thoroughly wasted, while leads Johnson and Dornan, fine actors in their own rights, are constantly fighting against the aggressively wonky script.

At least Johnson's cutesy, endearingly awkward delivery is a little easier to swallow, but with Dornan being forced to play the sternly serious Christian, his performance often comes off as wooden, even dull.

You can't blame the actors for taking the payday, but they sure must be glad to get back to real film projects after this.