14 DAY TRIAL // The “Fifty Shades of Grey” madness is yet to die down, and it sounds like leading lady Dakota Johnson, who plays Anastasia Steele, is quite fed up with being told that she’s appearing in a movie that is nothing short of a glorification of domestic violence.
In one of her most recent interviews, the actress takes issue with reports that the film (and the series of novels on which the movie franchise is based, by author E.L. James) depicts an unhealthy, abusive relationship, in which Ana is only a toy for Christian Grey (Jamie Dornan) to use as he sees fit.
It’s an “uneducated opinion” to say the relationship is abusive
You will find video of the interview below: the moment talk of the abusive relationship comes up, Johnson becomes defensive. In her opinion, it’s only those who aren’t educated enough on the things depicted in the film who find the relationship abusive.
“Everything that these characters do, they make the decision to do it,” she says. “Christian doesn’t abuse Ana. She’s not a victim. She’s not a sad, weak-minded, passive person. She’s strong and confident and is exploring her body and her sexuality in a private environment with somebody that she loves. And, you know, it’s a movie.”
In other words, all those who read the books or saw the movie and felt that the relationship between Anastasia and Christian was simply not right, need to do their research and look into BDSM, and they will find that this is exactly what happens in real life as well.
Johnson’s argument is flawed
The problem with the “Fifty Shades” universe, both movie and books, isn’t the kind of intercourse Ana and Christian have, whether it’s vanilla or not - and this is where Johnson starts off on the wrong foot.
People who took issue with the film didn’t do it because it’s about an alternative lifestyle (no one really minded the spanking), but because the interactions between the two protagonists, mostly outside the bedroom / Red Room are typical to a stalker situation.
A “Fifty Shades of Grey” review is available for more details, but suffice it to say that Christian takes every option and decision away from Ana, from the first day they meet. He also shows up at her workplace and inside her home uninvited, and even tracks her down to her mother’s house in another town, and goes there to check up on her when she doesn’t answer his calls and emails for a day.
If a guy did that in real life, you’d call the police, not go out for plane rides and a roll in the hay with him.
Secondly, Johnson says: “[Ana is] not a sad, weak-minded, passive person.” But this is exactly how she is depicted as, especially in the books (but less in the movie).
As if it weren’t bad enough that Christian is bossy and controlling and stalkerish, Ana never stands her ground in front of him.
Johnson may be contractually bound to defend the movie she stars in, particularly since it’s proved such a hit for the studio, but she should step back for a second and make sure she understands the criticism formulated against it. Think first, lie later, if need be.
