Throwing shade at ‘Grey’

There’s nothing more romantic than sexually charged torture, right? At least that seems to be the message behind “Fifty Shades of Grey,” with its copious amount of BDSM-related scenes.

The movie, based on the first installment of the “Fifty Shades” trilogy of the same name, hopes to pique the interest of women around the globe this upcoming Valentine’s Day with its steamy depiction of intimate moments. However popular the series is with its target audience, the main sequence of events is rather frightening and can only be an uncomfortable viewing experience.

The first few interactions between main characters Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey are more than enough to raise a red flag. In the scene between the two in Grey’s apartment, he mentions the signing of a nondisclosure agreement forbidding Steele telling anyone about their interactions before revealing his room of bondage equipment.

As if that exchange wasn’t unrealistic enough, the plot devolves into Steele realizing this may not be the type of relationship she wants and leaves. Yet, she runs back to Grey after a period of time, going so far as to openly ask him to deliver punishment, in order to prove she can handle the relationship.

Poor plot development aside, the sexual encounters increasingly become abusive and it’s clear that this relationship is not based in romance, but on power.

Critics of the series, like Morality in Media, an anti-pornography organization, have issues with the film’s rating description. Ideally, Morality in Media would change the description so it would state the film “promotes torture as sexually gratifying … encourages stalking and abuse of power, promotes female inequality, glamorizes and legitimizes violence against women.”

Another response to the series comes in the form of a Facebook boycott campaign called “50 Dollars Not 50 Shades” which encourages the public to donate to domestic violence shelters instead.

Jamie Dornan, who plays Grey in the film, addressed misogynistic criticism by stating the picture is not sexist, however one-sided the on-screen relationship looks. Additionally, Dornan believes the BDSM scenes are less important than the “love story” that the movie presents. Of course, Dornan is one of the stars of the feature, he’d defend his work through thick and thin.

Looking through a feminist lens, it’s easy to understand why there’s been such a divide between supporters of the series and those who vehemently oppose the titles. When any plot boils down to a woman going through increasingly painful situations dealt by a man, the work essentially reinstates patriarchal values.

Yes, there is consent between the two characters (however strange the exchange is), which is one important component of feminism, but the fact that the back cover synopsis of the first novel describes Grey as intimidating and that Steele is drawn to this trait, is problematic. The whole basis for this relationship is unhealthy; no one should be in a relationship with a person that makes them feel intimidated or uncomfortable.

Though “Fifty Shades” has a negative reputation, there is one positive aspect to the adult oriented collection. It’s a great example of everything aspiring fiction authors should avoid: poor characterization, shock value plotlines, and painfully unrealistic narratives.