The story of Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey isn’t really about dominance or bondage or even sex or love, despite all the Harlequin Romance–worthy character names. No, what Fifty Shades of Grey offers is a story about a young man learning, stripping down ( pun intended) and redefining his center.
In other words, you can find something redeemable, teachable and enduring in Christian Grey’s life and this film.
Pastors, churches, and domestic abuse fighters have come after this film with sharp knives. Under normal circumstances I would support and agree with them. I have received no less than 25 petitions to protest the film. This time I can’t.
I would challenge these same protestors:
Where are you on Walking Dead, Orange Is The New Black and Game of Thrones?
Unlike those shows, there are actual teaching moments under all of the glitz.
Okay, let’s get the simple business out of the way.
The sex is repetitive and pales next to what the story is really about, but is nowhere to be found in the marketing material. First, in case you had no idea what this story is about allow me to sum it up for you. Naive college graduate Anastasia and the dashing mogul billionaire Christian venture into a torrid sexual exploration of each other that would drive people crazy if they were actually real. There is a sense of real life toys at the maximum. Nice clothes, nice cars and good food. Yes, here is sex. Yes it’s off color and not loving, and not respectful. Yes, it is contrary to God’s expectation of marriage. Yet, I would say that one must always find the positives and not let the negative become the conversation.
Have the conversation but highlight what good can come out of something,
What the movie does right: The visuals and the music. STUNNING. You cannot peel your eyes off the screen. Danny Elfman reminds us why he is so great at this. Editing excellent. The things you don’t see are as stunning as the things you do see. The tension between Ana and Christian is uncomfortable. It should do that. You should not be warm and fuzzy. There is a scene where Christian walks in and presents Ana with the comment, “It was nice knowing you.” The audience howls. The subtle presence of Taylor, Kate and Elliott is superb.
What the movie does wrong: We should see a little more of the running story of Christian’s professional life. The next two books hinge on us knowing why he takes it to the next level.
There has been so much negative commentary from the christian world, that the movie deserved a deeper dive.
Now here are real life lessons from Fifty Shades of Grey that no other outlet is talking about.
Lesson # 1- Work Hard With Direction and Responsibility
Christian is a victim of “all the best is given to me and you don’t matter” disease. After having suffered a horrible incident in his young years, he wants everything. Literally. The one thing that becomes apparent is that Christian works hard. Unlike most characters in these types of movies, Christian is NOT an ivy league boy. Having things given to you is rarely a good thing for you. hristian is proof that hard work can get you somewhere. If you listen carefully, in the beginning he explains to Ana that he is aware that other people rely on him keeping his business steady. This guy actually has a sense of corporate responsibility. He is seeking to remove world hunger.
Are you still with me? The next lesson deals with something that many of us take for granted.
Lesson # 2 – Siblings And A Strong mother Can Actually Have a Positive Effect On You
Family bonds developed in early childhood continue through life. Siblings provide companionship and emotional support, needed material resources, and guidance in old age. Sharing a family history is a foundation for continued interaction throughout life, and serves a special purpose in old age. Reminiscences about family experiences validate the older person’s memories and feelings about these events and help them to have positive feelings about their family life. A number of studies have found that all siblings feel a greater sense of closeness in the later years, reducing feelings of conflict and envy and deepening their approval and acceptance of one another.
In this first movie, you are introduced to Christian’s adopted siblings and family. They actually have respect for each other and ground each other. In the next two movies their role in Christian’s life becomes even more evident and it will show you what the value is. Christian’s adopted mother positive. His birth mother not positive. Mothers protect their children. Period. Christian is an example of what happens when mothers don’t protect their young,
What do you think? The following lesson is one that most men can use in their own life!
Gentlemen the next lesson is for you.
