50 Shades of Grey (2015)

E.L. James' kinky best-seller gets the big screen treatment with this Universal Pictures/Focus Features co-production. The steamy tale details a masochistic relationship between a college student and a businessman, whose desires for extreme intimacy pen from secrets in his past.

(Summary taken from Rottentomatoes.com)

*BDSM- Bondage & Discipline / Domination & Submission / Sadism & Masochism

Before this article dissects the pros and cons about 50 Shades of Grey, it is best to dive into what exactly is the big deal with the book that this movie is based upon. It spawned a ton of controversy since its debut in June 2011, gaining two sorts of viewership. 

One is the following people who enjoy the erotic fiction; some readers may even say they would like to experience the thrills that the main characters go through together. Then there is the opposite side, the viewers that hate the book with a passion and often grimace at the mere mention of anything 50 Shades related.  

The book certainly gained cult followings and immense hatred, so on this spectrum of love and hate, do you care to know where I stand?

Curious?

Well, before we get to that answer, I will share my experience of the night I watched 50 Shades of Grey in theaters. 

As expected, there was an immense crowd waiting to witness this movie.

I sat comfortably my seat not knowing what to expect.

The introduction to the main characters, Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson) and Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) was similar to the book. Ana needed to interview the successful businessman, unknowingly planting the seed that would start their wild affair.

Although certain scenes from the book were taken out, the storyline was kept in chronological order.

The couple’s first meeting was already high on sexual tension, and for every time they would encounter one another, the tension only escalated. There were specific metaphors presented on screen that symbolized their relationship and how it continued to grow more extreme.  

The audience sensed how Ana grew fascinated over the high-class man, without going deep into her thoughts (like the book does) Throughout the rest of the film, Anastasia’s face told all. It expressed her craving to be involved in Christian’s world better than her Inner Goddess did in the book. No Inner Goddess needed to jump over the moon to express her joy over Christian touching her. It would show through emotion. Plus, when Ana would contemplate her standing with him, I could feel her pain and confusion.  

The actress played passive and docile Anastasia very well. In fact, she got a good laugh out of me several times when she would play excellently to her awkward nature and ignorance to Christian’s innuendos. Certain things did throw me off, like how she did not panic over Christian’s “playroom” right away or how she wouldn’t question the signs of his domineering attitude. That aside, overall the movie made me feel for Anastasia.

Christian Grey was a different story.

He was the pretty much the same as he was in the book, one who sought pleasure through dominating women. The actor played the role all right, but like the Christian in the book, some of what he said threw me off and diminished any attraction I could have gained from him. Several lines from the book were cut in order to romanticize Christian’s character more and make him appear more likable. However, that did not excuse what was shown.

Ordering Ana to eat, making her sign a contract, and doing things to her body that she never consented to. Visiting her unexpectedly at her mother’s house miles away from Seattle, when he knew she wanted to be left alone. Not allowing her to sleep in the same bed as him and even letting her touch him. I listened well to the movie and I know that Christian had a tough childhood that shaped his unique interests to what it was, but again, no excuses.

These are signs of a need for control and commitment issues and it is not attractive.

The way that a BDSM relationship is explained in the film is not how it really is in reality.

There is no binding contract, abuse, or force.

To prove it is an excerpt from Xeromag.com, which states, “People who are practicing BDSM in any of its trillions of forms are doing it voluntarily, for fun…Everything that happens in a BDSM relationship is consensual…it's not just about the dominant getting what he or she wants--it's more about the submissive getting what he or she wants…A BDSM dominant is concerned above all else with the needs and desires of the submissive. The dominant in a BDSM setting will also look after the psychological well-being of the submissive during and after an activity...”

The relationship shared between Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey is not one that I believe is healthy. Based on the movie alone, it was fun to watch but because of the silliness of the whole situation. When I think about the message it address to its audience; I detest it.

Of course, there may be many people who enjoy pain with pleasure during intimacy but there’s a fine line between BDSM and abuse. 50 Shades of Grey can be seen as a story of an abusive and controlling relationship. I can see why there are so many haters of it; yet I can understand the lovers as well.

The story is a fantasy and it’s okay to want to live it; just don’t follow every bit of it unless you really do want men like Mr. Grey: those who can track you anywhere and thinks they can have you without your consent.

Score on the movie? 3 out of 5 stars

Book? No question, burn it with fire.