Let me preface this by saying that I have read all the books in the 50 Shades of Grey trilogy. With the movie out –– and so much buzz circulating it –– it's impossible to not have been bombarded with so many different views. I have had friends in my ear telling me to see it or to avoid it at all costs. So what should you do? Maybe together we can figure it out.
GO: Some of my friends loved the books. So, why not go see the movie? I, myself, am one of those people who likes to read the books first, then go see the movie... You get to see how someone else can interpret the storyline differently. It's extremely cool.
DON'T GO: People on the other side of the spectrum argued that it was glorifying an abusive relationship and no one should pay to see that and by supporting the we are supporting the patriarchal dominant society where abusive relationships can be normalized... and you thought you were just seeing a movie!
WHAT DO I DO: So after I read rant after rant about not going to see the movie because "I wasn't a feminist" if I did or that I was "setting the women movement back 100 years" If I did, I really thought about it. I think that this movie depicts a reality of a group of people. Maybe there are some women who prefer this type of relationship, so should they be deemed as less than because they like something unconventional? I think that a movie alone doesn't have the juice to change a movement, but I think it can make a statement. It takes action to go with the movie to change a behavior.
I don't want to ruin the story line for those of you who haven't read it yet, but, I do think that this is a love story and it, of course, has things that people don't like. I think that a reasonable person should be able to decide for themselves if they do/do not want to see the movie. I think that sex is a big part of the story but it is not the only part of the story.
I think that the people that are so concerned about this movie having a bad effect on the way women are viewed should make campaigns that educate about their points instead of bashing a movie and giving it more press. You have to focus on what you can control. You can create websites and pamphlets to support your cause that don't bash the movie –– because then it's getting more attention than it needs.
I haven't seen the movie yet but it's not because of some overall objection to the movie.... It's because I haven't had time. But, I am looking forward to seeing it; I liked the books and I hope the movie will be just as good. At the very least it will give me something to talk about!
