This film is the fantasy of a man who is changed by love. I can't talk about the books because I haven't read them.
It is the story of a man, damaged physically and psychologically, who has relied on BDSM to feel safe and in control. He meets a woman who thwarts his expectations of what a "relationship" is. Yes, he tries to use the methods--all of them the classic methods of an abuser-- he's used in the past--isolating her, spanking her when she tells him she's going to visit her mother, telling her what to eat, etc. but she pushes back against all of them and he breaks his rules time and again for her. Taking her up in the helicopter, kissing her before the non-disclosure agreement is signed, sleeping with her and making love to her in his own bed etc. But, in a time of stress, he goes back to his BSDM and ritually beats her. With her permission. I think her permission is important for us to accept Christian as an object of desire.
I think the reliance on contracts with his women is an attempt to control himself too. Christian is damaged but he's smart and he's beautiful and can be thoughtful. He's also trying to change and that's important.
As for abuse in real life relationships, domestic abuse is a both a public and a private issue.
For every animal bought, a shelter animal dies.
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lilsusieq86
8 years ago
Very good insight. How did you come up with it if you haven't read the books?
You did leave out the most important part and that was he used BDSM as a guise so he could beat women who looked like his mother and as Anna found out they all did. She also realized that he truly loved her because when she saw the pics of the subs and then his mother she saw she looked nothing like her.
The easiest thing i have ever had to do was give my heart.
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isundling
8 years ago
Christian had contracts with all of his consensual subs..I understand that is not unusual in those types of so called relationships...also it gave him control over not being touched..which was his main hang up...he treated his subsmissives very well...bought them clothing..jewelry..they only had to do what he asked..when he asked...eyes down..no talking back..complete submission...they were able to have a say in what they would do and not do, and there was never anything in the books that suggested he "beat" everyone..but his rules were very fixed..until Ana came along and fell into his office..
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lilsusieq86
8 years ago
He beat women who looked like his mother. Here is the quote from darker. Later on she finds out that she looks nothing like his mother.
I’m a sadist, Ana. I like to whip little brown-haired girls like you because you all look like the crack whore — my birth mother."
Also contracts can protect.the parties if one of them should go to the police and claim they didn't want it.
The easiest thing i have ever had to do was give my heart.he beat women who looked lie his mother. Here is the quote.
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isundling
8 years ago
"I like to whip little brown haired girls"...whatever the submissives signed up to do would be consensual..and as Ana mentions to Christian..." You know this contract is not legal", and he says yes, it just provides an agreement for his rules, and what they will do and won't do...
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lilsusieq86
8 years ago
While she cannot sue him over it. It provides him some protection if she would go to the police and tell them it's non consensual.
The easiest thing i have ever had to do was give my heart.
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MyaRose
8 years ago
While she cannot sue him over it. It provides him some protection if she would go to the police and tell them it's non consensual.
She could also tell the police while's shes there about the phone tracking and that he has acquired illegal access to private information about her, just saying!
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lilsusieq86
8 years ago
Oh of course
The easiest thing i have ever had to do was give my heart.
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isundling
8 years ago
But the catch...he would never want any of his lifestyle made public...so there would never be a lawsuit or a police report, he vets his subs and he uses private investigators......they get caught up in some police business in the next two movies,and they have to work with them and give information.. but Christian likes to use his own "staff" that takes care of his private business...when possible.
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Portrait-of-a-Statue
8 years ago
As I said, I watched the movie three times and came to understand the the story through the artistic choices the actors and director made.
For every animal bought, a shelter animal dies.
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