SEX, rape, and other normalized BDSM behavior. Here we go.
#50Shades of Gray has been plastered all over my timeline, so I figured I might as will speak up. So before anyone goes into antics about the movie let’s just clean it up real quick-I have read all three books (yeah I know you’re judging me, but whateva) and let’s just say that Fifty Shades is not literary gold.
DISCLAIMER: If you haven’t read the books just know that it is not complicated to understand. And in no way, shape, or form do I consider these books as upscale literature. This is lightyears away from famed authors like Toni Morrison and John Grisham. There’s not much left to the imagination given the topic. I read all three books in under a week.
To grossly summarize #50ShadesofGrey : A girl( a basic, regular, PO-dunk, journalism major, small town girl) meets the extremely wealthy and dreamy CEO of a successful company. He is the elite breed of mysterious, tailored suit wearing, helicopter flying, suave men. Predictably,she has a huge crush on him and he is into BDSM ( bondage, domination, submission and masochism, Google it.) So homeboy drafts a contract and essentially asks her to sign said contract so that he can have her sexually at his will (anytime, anywhere). As time goes on his needs intensify and little by little he molds her into the female that he desires. Since this relationship spans over three books it obviously starts slowly with experimental bondage and by the end homegirl is like hanging by her feet from some ceiling in his bedroom hogtied. It’s quite graphic. Of course there’s the underlying love story of them getting to know one another, having trust issues during their sexual experiences, her dealing with his crazy exes who used to be his partners, her body image issues because he makes all of his partners look and dress the same, etc etc. Overall the book is intriguing because of the detailed sexual episodes, the exaggerated character flaws, and the intricate emotions that she has for him versus his emotions for her. Fifty Shades of Grey challenged women to consider giving up their power in the bedroom (ugh…. I don’t even like typing that ewh) to fully entrust their partner to their pleasure, and exposed the general public to the “underworld” of BDSM.
Now I’m sure that people who practice BDSM regularly were not thrilled by E.L. James’ interpretation.
Anyways, there was lots of drama surrounding the casting for the movie. The elusive Mr.Christian Grey was rumored to be very difficult to cast. Perhaps it was because at least four chapters of each book detailed his facial features, his demeanor, and his perfectly chiseled “bod.” The real issue is that everyone’s idea of what a perfect man should look like differs from person to person. You can’t please everyone. But when I saw the no name guy who is to be Christian Grey in the trailer….. I said “heck no!” to the movie. I expected homeboy Donald Draper from Mad Men ( I’m terrible with actors names- but Y’ALL know who I’m talking about.) So I haven’t seen the movie yet and it is still up for debate.
But the cherry on top was the feedback that I kept seeing about the series “normalizing rape.” Noting that the sexual exposé often blurred the lines and did not allow the main character, Anastasia Steele, to fully give consent to all of the acts performed. Ehhhh…… That’s a stretch in my opinion but I wanted get you all involved in the discussion before I see it for myself. Is the movie parallel with the book? Does the #50Shades series “blur the lines” between consenting adults and rape? Or is it just a great book? Is the movie worth seeing at all or should I wait for the Redbox?
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