Unlike a lot of my highly educated peers, instead of being too smart to buy into the hype of a lot of pop culture, I like to be in on a craze. So when I heard about the Twilight-fan fiction turned sexy BDSM erotica book series that is 50 Shades of Grey etc, I wanted in; I want to know what everyone’s on about. I want to know whether it’s worth the hype. I believe that you have to earn the right to have an opinion. So I read the books, all three in four days, which has something to say about my inner book-worm but more as a credit to the writer’s ability to create an un-put-downable story. Maybe at first the appeal of the books is the thrill of reading something a little risque: turning page after page waiting for the naughty bits. (A little juvenile yes, but you can’t deny it) but eventually there has to be something more right? There has to be more to it than some “kinky fuckery” loosely strung together with a storyline featuring borrowed characters, right? To have topped the best-seller lists around the world, set the record as the fastest-selling paperback of all time and sold over 40 million copies worldwide, there has got to be more to it right? Well perhaps, or perhaps Ms James has tapped in on something the Mills&Boons type have been missing all along. Whatever it is, the fact is that these books are a hit and are in the process being made ready for a silver screen debut. And this is where I really get interested, because those who may not ever read the book, will possibly still watch the film.
Dana Brunetti has signed on as producer which is great. His name is on such brilliant films as 21 and The Social Network. British writer Kelly Marcel has been chosen as screenwriter (much to the dismay of Bret Easton Ellis – the mastermind behind American Psycho who had thrown his name in the hat for the job). And ever since the movie rights had been sold, fangirls are heating up the interwebs with their picks for who should be cast in the film adaptation. I wait in anticipation for how this movie will turn out for a number of reasons. Firstly the books have an insane following, much like Twilight and the Harry Potter series, the sheer number of fans of the series suggests that the movie will rake it in at the box-office. The trouble with fanpeeps of any kind is that producers need to live up to the expectations that the fans have, based on their own imaginings of the story. When I heard that Ellis was interested in writing the screenplay I was excited. Surely the creative mind behind American Psycho, would add depth to a story that is so easily dismissed by many as mommy porn for bored housewives. Marcel who wrote the now cancelled Fox series, Terra Nova, will have to prove that she can take James’ much loved characters and develop them into Hollywood gold. Then of course one must discuss the subject matter. Essentially 50 Shades is a love story (yes, behind all the spanking and bondage, there is a love story in there) and a coming of age journey for protagonist Anastasia Steele, without which the film would disintegrate into pseudo-pornographic drivel. What this film will have to do (somehow) is: to create a meaty script that doesn’t underplay the character developments that James tactfully envisioned; to employ a director whose creative vision complements the story in a way that can demand respect from all the 50 Shades naysayers; to not water down the density of the sex scenes (please Hollywood, don’t aim for a PG rating and lose the integrity of the story) and to cast actors who not only fulfill both James’ and the fans’ inner imaging of the characters but also add their own level of complexity to make the characters translate from page to screen.
On the topic of casting, which has created much hoopla amongst fans, one must remember, that as with Twilight, the careers of these actors will be skyrocketed, based on the level of publicity that the film with generate. Rumours are currently circulating regarding which actors and actresses might be in talks for the roles. Mila Kunis since being named Esquire’s Sexiest Woman, is a new favourite for Ana Steele. Other options vary from Amanda Seyfried to Emma Watson (who in my opinion would add an interesting level of naivete to the role, and would benefit from shedding her Hermione roots) . Fan favourites for the male lead, this Christian Grey who has become so many women’s fantasy man, include Matt Bomer and my number 1 choice, Ian Somerhalder (who already has showcased his ability to play a character who is troubled and complex, sexy as all hell, and generally good at heart in The Vampire Diaries).
Whichever way the production team goes, what I know for sure is that this will seriously be a movie to look out for (whether you’re a fan of the books, or too cool to get caught up in the hype) because it is a pioneer in integrating sexually explicit subject matter so publicly into the mainstream. Sex is an integral part of the human experience and is often treated as a dirty secret we’d rather not portray on screen. My hope is that this could start changing the perception of sex in media, because I would much rather watch a well put together film including gratuitous sex than a cheesy porno with no plot. Good luck Brunetti, we’ll be waiting.
Dana_derailed 