50 shades of opinions

Rating: 8/10 (10 July 2015)

I must first admit to being quite open minded, yes I'm a woman, yes I read the book - then recommended it & gave it to lots of my friends, yes I've had sex so I understand the premise of the book & the film.
Considering the hype of the book, then the film I would have serious concerns about anyone who watched the film who DIDN'T know what it was about.
I find the opinion that it is degrading to women kind of insulting, to me that is trying to make a woman feel guilty for choosing the kind of sex SHE wants to have. In the film & book Anastasia holds all the power, she chooses to have sex with Christian in the first place then chooses to explore her boundaries with someone she feels safe with, whereas throughout the book & film Christian is unwilling to push his boundaries - which again is his choice.
We all have boundaries of some sort - they could be from previous experiences, or cultural or religious, there are endless ways for people to have boundaries real or fictional. In life as in the film the important thing is to discuss your boundaries with your partner, what you want out of the relationship and your expectations; in the film & book Anna is much better at telling Christian what she wants, Christian writes rules & tells a sleeping Anna the reasons for his boundaries.
I find the likening to abuse disheartening & reactionary, in the book & film Anna asked Christian to push her boundaries & tries all sorts of physical touch including spanking & whipping, the fact that she didn't like being whipped was part of the story & leads on to the next chapter, it was done within the context of a submissive/dominant relationship where both parties consent, the complete opposite of abuse. Being in a submissive/dominant relationship is as much a persons right to choose as only having sex on Saturday nights with the lights off.