Valentines Day 2015 will see a couple of movies (in particular) come to the screen that offer two very different portrayals of love and romance.
One is a well-known title, “Fifty Shades of Grey”, based on the book of the same name by E.L.James. The other is a lesser known indie film making its debut, entitled “Old-fashioned”.
Let me first say this: I have not read “Fifty Shades of Grey”, only the synopsis online. And I have only read the press release that I was sent for “Old-fashioned.” That being said, let me highlight the facts that I’ve read:
“Fifty Shades of Grey” is:
– categorizes as provocative romance, designed to spark sexual feelings
– centered on a (married) man and single woman experiencing and exploring sexual attraction
– the story of their affair which involves abuse for sexual pleasure
“Old-fashioned” is:
– a faith-based romantic drama
– a love story that takes the idea of godly romance seriously
– about a former frat boy and a free-spirited woman attempting an old-fashioned courtship in contemporary America
One movie will take you on a journey of attraction and lust, spiraling deeper into the personal demons of the lead character. The other will seek to raise the standard by which we look at and engage in relationships. It’s easy to see that these are two very different movies indeed.
So, opening weekend for Valentines Day 2015 will be quite the happening weekend, and the subject of much conversation. And each film will come to the screen with its own set of controversies. (In case you are interested) here are some of my personal thoughts:
– “Fifty Shades of Grey” will be highly controversial just simply for the content of the story, period.
– “Old-fashioned” will be controversial for the simple fact of people thinking, “Is this really possible to do in modern-day society?”
– Love and lust are two TOTALLY different entities. Lust seeks to gratify itself, love sacrifices to care for the other. Love demonstrates restraint – lust can’t get enough.
– I enjoy a good and wholesome portrayal of a couple falling in love, sacrificing for one another, and blending hearts in the process. So yes, “Old-fashioned” will be my personal choice of these two movies to go see.
Now, “50 Shades of Grey” is definitely the Goliath here – it’s the bigger name with the bigger budget, bigger stars, and bigger distribution for more screens. Even the trailer is out already, creating a quite a stir. On the other hand, “Old-fashioned” is the David, the underdog. It’s an indie film, and a lot of people will hear about it mostly through very grassroots methods.
And you know what? I have a strong feeling that the underdog will make a profound impact next Valentine’s Day. People are looking for true love and a portrayal of what that looks like, and I think that “Old-fashioned” will deliver. Personally, I’m looking forward to seeing how this indie movie handles the concept of courtship in America. It is poised to be a stand-out amongst the average, no matter how tantalizing the other trailers may be.
What are your thoughts? I invite you to share them in the comments below..thanks for visiting,
Dee
Yes and Amen. “Old-Fashioned” is my choice too. And so sad that this other story has seemed to be all the rage. Most disturbing. Love don’t hurt!!!
So true, Connie. God designed love to be beneficial, not detrimental, all the way around!
Yes and Amen. “Old-Fashioned” is my choice too. And so sad that this other story has seemed to be all the rage. Most disturbing. Love don’t hurt!!!
So true, Connie. God designed love to be beneficial, not detrimental, all the way around!
Ok… well I have read 50 Shades (all three of them), and the leading man certainly is not married. Yes, this is a very sexual trilogy, but it actually shows the damage that a certain lifestyle does to a person and their image of themselves. There is a lot more to the story, and BDSM certainly isn’t for everyone. However, two grown, married adults should be free to do what they want as long as it is consensual. Now, reading it and seeing it are two different things. I haven’t made up my mind about the movie.
This is a spoiler…. so read no farther if you don’t want to…. you’ve been warned….
The characters are not married in the beginning…
At some point they do get married… middle to end of book 2 I think??
Maybe that is where the misconception of the leading man being married comes into play.
Here’s what I find so damaging: that this story is being touted as a love story, a romance…and it rolls out on Valentines Day? It is a story, but not one about the true demonstration of love. Im also very concerned about the visual images that its portrayal on screen will give.
The visuals are what give me pause. Like I said, it’s one thing to read it in my own mind, another thing to see someone else’s vision on screen. There is a love story in it, just not a traditional one.
Ok… well I have read 50 Shades (all three of them), and the leading man certainly is not married. Yes, this is a very sexual trilogy, but it actually shows the damage that a certain lifestyle does to a person and their image of themselves. There is a lot more to the story, and BDSM certainly isn’t for everyone. However, two grown, married adults should be free to do what they want as long as it is consensual. Now, reading it and seeing it are two different things. I haven’t made up my mind about the movie.
This is a spoiler…. so read no farther if you don’t want to…. you’ve been warned….
The characters are not married in the beginning…
At some point they do get married… middle to end of book 2 I think??
Maybe that is where the misconception of the leading man being married comes into play.
Here’s what I find so damaging: that this story is being touted as a love story, a romance…and it rolls out on Valentines Day? It is a story, but not one about the true demonstration of love. Im also very concerned about the visual images that its portrayal on screen will give.
The visuals are what give me pause. Like I said, it’s one thing to read it in my own mind, another thing to see someone else’s vision on screen. There is a love story in it, just not a traditional one.