Op-Ed: Fans of the Fifty Shades of Grey may be excited to learn that the movie has over 20 minutes of full sex scenes but they may not. In July 2012 as casting for this movie began we wrote "Reading a work of fiction, be it on a computer, kindle or hard copy, imagination is king. The characters and plot come to life through our imagination. The leading characters may be individual to each reader or so well described that each reader has a similar image, if only in their mind. Mr D'Arcy in Pride and Prejudice is a prime example of how our ideas can vary. For many readers of the novel Colin Firth when he took on the role in a major TV series was D'Arcy down to his fingernails. Others, such as this blogger, had envisaged a totally different man. One of the most popular modern reads Fifty Shades of Grey is the titillating, sensual, erotic or should that be downright dirty? The three books have a wide variety of female fans. Women fans are many but varied. The trilogy surrounds one Mr Grey, and his dominant liaison." But will imagination translate well to the big screen? If you enjoy porn it will but for many female fans the books are titillating and have a universal appeal that may not be true of the visual sex scenes. If you want to watch porn there are probably enough films around already but most 50 Shades fans would shy away from plain pornography. But if it floats your boat why not? According to the Belfast Telegraph "The upcoming Fifty Shades of Grey movie looks set to be the raunchiest 18-rated film in more than a decade" that description will deter as female many viewers as it attracts. It may be a smash hit when it comes to the home market but will it attract many women to movie theatres? Maybe and maybe some will there for a laugh. 50 Shades of Grey In September 2012 I finally gave in and began reading Fifty Shades of Grey. I was going to call a review Fifty Shades of Filth but it is not that. Yes it is porn, an erotic novel or a sex book but nothing to write home about. In the end I called the review Fifty Shades of Whatever. Having been told by so many women at work that it was compelling reading, that I would not be able to put down, I wondered if the book would live up to the hype. You know how they say that the journey is often the best part of a vacation? Maybe not. How many times though do you watch a film that is reviewed as the best thing since sliced bread only to wonder what all the fuss was about? Again a bad comparison as sliced bread is often the pits, but you know what I mean. All we knew of 50 Shades in 2012 was that it was written by a woman, EL James’, in Canada, is part of a trilogy, is basically pornography and is due to be made into a film. This blogger was still toying with whether or not she could be bothered to read it when the three books were espied for £10. Yes £10 for three books at a local supermarket; cheaper than three magazines can cost. But the books since purchase have been stuck on the bookshelf. The first in the series is Fifty Shades of Grey. This is followed by Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed. The proper book review is still on hold as unlike colleagues I can put the book down. I fairly quickly read over half of the first book. It is readable but more so in parts; and that does not just mean the sex parts. So if you have no idea what the plot, and I use that term loosely, centres on, here goes. Mr Christian Grey, billionaire playboy, is in his late twenties. Good looking and wealthy he is a young girl's dream, or should that be nightmare? Grey is into kinky sex. It may not be kinky to you but it is to me. He likes to play the dominant and his sexual partner the submissive. After a brief encounter with Miss Anastasia Steele, Grey proposes a partnership based on his sexual preferences. Steele as the stereotypical innocent or dumb female however falls in love with him. So enough of the "plot". If you read the story the above will not have spoiled the experience. The jury is out unless I finish reading even one book. If and when that happens I will update this review. Book One is disconcerting as although Ms Steele is a willing participant, mostly, prior meeting Mr Grey she is an innocent; a virgin. Her encounter with Grey has hints of sexual grooming and abuse. She falls in love with Grey but he appears incapable of anything more than lust. The story may develop into a compelling read but I am not holding my breath. Maybe it is my advancing years but for me the book is just an OK read and nothing really new. On the contrary its seems to have drawn bits and pieces from other books and movies. Yes it is titillating in parts. Yes the characters are OK. Will the movie be more than just OK? If you like sex films I guess the answer may be yes. 50 shades of grey is in UK cinemas February 13, just in time for Valentine's Day! It is rated 18 for adult viewing.
5 Comments
B. McPherson
2/2/2015 09:48:47 pm
Sounds a little like the real life situation of a former CBC darling who has been dismissed. There are charges that he liked violent sex with or without consent.
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eileen
2/2/2015 10:53:43 pm
Thanks Barbara
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Dava Castillo
2/3/2015 01:17:11 am
I have not read the book, and I won't. Not because I approve or disapprove of the topic, but because reading time is precious and reserved for books I am truly interested in.
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eileen
2/3/2015 04:26:57 am
Thanks for reading Dava
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Julia
2/22/2015 11:45:49 pm
I read the first hundred pages, and it was boring, but I could not stand Christian Grey because he was a one percenter. This was back in 2012 during the Occupy Movement, and reading some young twenty-something talk about how people could lose their livelihoods because of him did not seem like something I would want to continue reading. There are many good books out there, but this is not one. Essentially this book was researched by visiting porn on the net, which is what the author said, so with it many BDMS practices were made mainstream. Another issue I do have with this book is it perpetuates the old notion of women being submissive to men. Perhaps some people get off on that, but around page one hundred I could tell it would not be for me when Christian started talking about how he likes a woman to dress, eat, and do things a certain way. Someone pointed out if this character had been a fat truck driver Anna would have ran away, but the only reason we are intrigued is because he is young, rich, and handsome. The trailer did not even look sexy, to me anyway.
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