50 Shades of Confusion

So, I do not know how many of you follow fads or keep up with the media as to what is popular or not, but I try to do so out of curiosity.  I like to know why something is being reported, why it is popular, and why is it worth reporting about no matter the format.  

As a writer, I like to see what books are popular, so I can see what topics are being led into or what is going to be popular in the near future.  The book Fifty Shades of Grey was first release in 2011 and much to my dismay became so popular worldwide that it was printed in over fifty different languages. Due to its popularity, and minor in accurate inconsistencies, the making of a movie was demanded, which was released, oddly enough, February 14, 2015 and soon criticized for its overbearing control ridden plot line.

Let me first start at the book.  Awhile back ago, I read Fifty Shades of Grey and read half of Fifty Shades Darker because I was bored with the repetitive nature and the fact that I had a, 'been there, done that, wrote the book, and then edited it again' type attitude as there was nothing new that I have not tried written by the author.  With my attitude already disappointed I started to wonder, are there really that many women in the world not receiving the proper sexual pleasure that we have to read about it in an erotically written piece of literature?  Are women truly that scared to demand the proper pleasure?  

Now, please note that I refer to women as the common population of readers due to statistics and also note that I believe men deserve the same right to their desired pleasure as well, but to populate that many sales from the initial book that made it on the best seller list for at least fifty weeks (ironic amount of weeks?) is impressive, not to mention financially rewarding, I'm sure.  

So my theory to the sales of this book are based on the lack of sexual pleasure even though many will say, 'oh no, it is Christian Grey and how hot he is' or 'oh no, I would want to help Christian Grey to be able to open up.'  Sorry folks, but my cynical side wants to vomit at this point.  I am open to the idea of an attractive individual and helping people, hell, I even understand a bit of a desire to be dominated by the attractive man, but those are still flimsy excuses to a cheaply written piece.  I am still going to give kudos on the sales though.




Despite the plethora of wants, desires, lack of sexual needs, and the success of the book, the movie was demanded and recently released.  Personally, Jamie Dornan would not have been my first choice although he is mildly attractive, but then again I am a bit partial to Channing Tatum...add a dark suit, a 5 o' clock shadow, and (anyone else drooling by now?).  Anyway, refocus..

I am not saying Jamie was not good at his part either, but in the movie he seemed a bit meek compared to the Christian Grey in the book.  His attitude, on the other hand, was point on even through his random acts of control.  Dakota Johnson, I think, did well as the shy virgin and making the intentional lip biting look natural.  Overall, I thought there would be more to the movie based on the hype, but I was not overly impressed by the actors.  Honestly, they just did not scream 'sex' to me.

Soon after the movie was released, controversy struck out among many different awareness groups, probably a dominant one being about Domestic Violence.  I understand that control in a relationship is an issue, but what I am wondering is if those criticizing the movie also read the book? Furthermore, if those who read the book were also the ones protesting issues such as domestic violence in the movie?  I just find it odd that the attitude of society and the media were all in love with the book until it became visual.  First, did you not realize that the movie is a mild portrayal of the book.  The book contains more violent acts and replicates a more severe dominance of control over Anna, yet 'this is the best book ever.'  Why is it that we are so close-minded to one form over the other of this issue?  Why is it that we had to actually see it in action in order to protest the idea?  Why not protest the book?  

I know there are many places and institutions that have already challenged the morality of the book, but I'm still flabbergasted at the majority who approve the book and decline the movie.  Not to be weird and go against the majority, which is commonly something I like to do, but I vote the movie was better than the book only because it was soft porn that was allowed in theaters.  Again, another impressive characteristic by this plot line, it buried sales as a book for its cheap thrills and approved for the big screen.  My only curiosity now is, how much is being made off of all this?

Even though I am not impressed by the plot (again...been there, done that) I am impressed at the marketing of both the book and movie.  Let's just say it was like....selling ice to Eskimos? ;)