The worst thing to humanity, sets women back 100 years etc.
But given that's it's role is based upon fetishes that in this context actually would empower a woman, can this really be true? Or even does it's quality condemn it when it could open so many doors in future?
Well, first of all I feel it would be best to look at the culture it lends a focus to; BDSM. This has been the guilty secret of millions for quite a number of years, even those who have a level of confidence that affords the "I don't give a shit" mentality when it comes to laying out all of our embarassing stories of sexual escapades can concede that expressing any desire for a trip into this world with a new partner is something of a tricky one; say the wrong thing or really push the line too far in suggestion and their entire view of you could be tainted and make things uncomfortable for a while.
I myself have been on both sides of this fence. For our six month anniversay we decided to take a visit to Ann Summers and find something different to help us celebrate with something new. We came away with a few general novelties and a pack of Karma Sutra themed cards. I'll spare the details, but it was only after this level of experimenting did she confide in me there was something she had always been curious to try. It started as tieing up, and it ended with opening up that she was a little interested in rape fantasy. Almost immediately she wanted to apologise for even suggesting it, such was her deep repression and guilt about her fetish. A similar thing would occur further down the line with subsequent partners (and even friends in general discussion) about anything from the idea of being gagged, bound, whipped or even choked (both varieties).
Now the book itself has received much criticism from many in this community who feel it completely misses alot of the important factors when it comes to this; the position of power. In the book of 50 Shades it would appear Mr Grey is the main benefactor of all endeveours, with frequent reference of our protagonist crying or cursing with fear of the encounter. While to many people who have no interest in the deeds themselves this could appear normal, it is infact quite a reverse; the dom is never the one with the power - every single thing that is to happen is under the control of the sub who is receiving the treatment. This is down to the use of the safeword; no matter a contract written up between the consenting partners (a factor that is used in said book) of what can and can not be used in these endevours, if the sub uses their safeword the dom is to stop at all costs immediately. This is what protects the kinky from becoming abusive.
The film however, seems to make a great deal of effort to change these factors; making our protagonist much more amused and compliant during the incidents - giggling and feigning sadness when being spanked, even though not particularly her fantasy, it is now a lot more clear where the power lies. Particularly when in the climax where she does infact not want it to happen and stops Mr Grey in his tracks.
And yet the film still gets condemned, largely by people who have taken to condemning it based on the novel itself or even the origins as Twilight fan-fic. Condemned for being based on something based on something they don't like (also largely through the memetic culture rather than personal experiences). But is it not a positive step forward?
I believe we all have our kinks and our quirks, whether it be feet, domination, subordination, watersports, or even simply dirty talk. And the fact that this is our biggest secrets that we feel, like my ex as mentioned above, who feel we must hide our elation and chance of nirvana for social barriers we ourselves built up. Is it not a good thing, quality of the source aside, if this goes even a single step into breaking down the barriers?
People were crying out for a Mr Grey of their own when the book was released, and that irked me. Mr Grey of that time was just someone who could abuse his power for his own selfish climax rather than his partner. But even then we got a flood of mainstream attention for BDSM and anything even tangently connected, and people the world over could for the first time voice a feeling of lust for something unique to us. Now with the film making that extra effort to showcase it's demographic in a more appropriate light, one can only feel this has to be a step in the right direction. A step to bogart our traditional "No sex please, I'm British!" personas and just accept everyone has their kink.
Feel free to discuss in the comments, or tweet to @Chromosoner
