“Why not go see Fifty Shades of Grey?” Part 2 of 4

In my first post on the hugely popular book and film I mentioned a bunch of reasons why a lot of people hate this movie.

But maybe you’re trying to figure out if you should see it. In a future post I’ll suggest some reasons I think that is probably not a great idea.

But in the meantime, perhaps this will help you decide. Dakota Johnson is the female co-star. Her parents are actors (remember Don Johnson?). But Dakota said, “I don’t want my family to see it. It’s inappropriate. … There’s part of me that’s like, I don’t want anyone to see this movie.”  

Wow. There’s a huge endorsement.

Still not sure? Listen to Jamie Dorman. He plays the main character, Christian Grey, who builds a sex dungeon in his apartment to carry out his dark fantasies, mixing violence, control and sex. The actor says he desperately misses his mother who died of cancer when he was sixteen. But he’s glad she won’t have to see this film. I’m guessing that’s not just because of the so-called love scenes. I’m guessing he wouldn’t want his mother to see it because he knew his mother loved him. And maybe more importantly, because he loves her.

If he doesn’t want people he loves seeing it, and he’s IN it, are you sure you want to see it? Think about it. 

I read that to prepare for the film Dorman visited a sex dungeon. After watching the things he’d be expected to do to his co-star, he returned to his wife and newborn baby feeling dirty. 

“I had a long shower before touching either one of them,” he told Elle UK. 

I’m guessing there will be a lot of people walking out theaters who will feel the same way. 

If I want to pay money for something that will make me want to take a shower I’ll join a health club.  

At the end of the day, I have to admit I’m a bit curious. There’s a part of me that wants to take a quick peek at the goings on behind the closed doors where Christian and Ana meet. Am I the only one? The lure of forbidden love, unabashed lust, and boundary crossing sex can be made attractive and truly catch the eye. 

But all that glitters is not gold. 

Fish don’t know that. They are mesmerized by the flash of a spoon or daredevil lure as it spins by all sexy and fun. The ones that pounce get hooked. Then reeled in. Then eaten for lunch. 

I’m not being overly dramatic in saying that the glittering silver screen showing Fifty Shades of Grey will function the very same way. The marketers keep trolling by flashing images meant to lure us all in. Desperate housewives are falling for the narrative fantasy being dubbed mommy-porn while desperate guys and young adults are mesmerized by the images and sex appeal. 

It all glimmers like a daredevil. And the devil dares you to take the bait.   

I’m not some preacher complaining about how my prudish values are being offended. I’m not saying this is a naughty film because it talks about sex too much. I’m saying don’t be fooled into thinking that filling your mind with the images and agenda of Fifty Shades won’t have a negative impact on many things you value most:  love, intimacy, purity, goodness, beauty, dignity of people, and your own self-respect. 

And if you’re a follower of Jesus, then instead of fixing your mind on Fifty Shades of Grey you can consider these words from scripture: 

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. – Philippians 4:8. 

So if you needed a reason not to see the Shades of Grey, there it is in black and white.