Universal Studios/Focus Features
The film adaptation of the best-selling book series is currently dominating (sorry for the pun) at theaters. "Fifty Shades" had the highest-grossing President's Day Weekend ever making $94 million.
While you may know the basic premise - it's about a young college girl who falls for a billionaire with a knack for bondage and domination - you may not have read the books nor plan on seeing the movie.
But we bet you still want to know what it's about.
We have you covered.
What is "Fifty Shades of Grey" about?
Chuck Zlotnick/Universal Studios and Focus Features
E.L. James' erotica novel is written from the perspective of college student Anastasia Steele. Before graduation, she interviews the mysterious and eligible billionaire bachelor Christian Grey for her school's paper. She's not studying journalism. Instead, Ms. Steele is just conveniently filling in for her sick roommate who was supposed to do the interview.
From the moment the two meet, Ana's pretty smitten with Christian. He makes her flush with nervousness as she fidgets with her tape recorder. She stutters as she speaks and his calm but stern temperament makes her heartbeat start to race.
Naturally, Christian is actually pretty into Ana, too. It's not really clear why. She's a plain Jane, has no plans for her future after college, and she's clumsy. But for some reason he can't control himself any moment she bites down on her lip. Before you know it, Christian's showing up at Ana's place of employment, sending her expensive presents (first-edition copies of books by her favorite author and a new MacBook), getting jealous of other men in her life, and taking her for helicopter rides.
Romantic, right?
Well, here's the twist.
It turns out there's a reason Christian's single. He's really into BDSM (Bondage, Domination, Sadism, and Masochism) relationships and he wants Ana to play the submissive to his dominant.
If you've ever seen 2001's "Secretary" with Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader, it's sort of a similar set up.
Christian has a giant non-disclosure agreement whipped up detailing the specifics of their relationship. It contains safe words, limits, and details the different sexual acts in which they will participate.
The entire first book and movie follow Ana's decision over whether or not to sign the lengthy contract.
Oh, yeah. There's more than one book.
If you thought you'd be free after this film, you're wrong! There are two more books in the series called "Fifty Shades Darker" and "Fifty Shades Freed."
You can bet more movies will be on the way. The first film has already made over $266 million worldwide.
It's based on "Twilight"
There's a nod to the original title of "Fifty Shades" in the first book's opening. James dedicates the book to her husband Niall, "the master of my universe."
You can thank "Twilight" author Stephenie Meyer for inspiring "Fifty Shades." The BDSM trilogy started out as "Twilight" fan fiction.
James began writing her series on Fanfiction.net. Early drafts of "Fifty Shades" were referred to as "Masters of the Universe" and were written from the perspective of Bella and Edward from "Twilight."
Steele is Bella, right down to the clumsiness and awkward comments. And just like Bella, she is drawn to a dark man and embarks on a violent relationship. Grey is supposed to be Edward without the immortality, fangs and sparkly skin. The two later transformed into Ana and Christian.
I don't get it. Why do women love this? It sounds awful.
Universal Studios/Focus Features
Oh, the writing's not that great.
What I've gathered from reading the trilogy when it came out is that "Fifty Shades" is about playing out the fantasies and conversations written on the page in your head.
That's what women had to do before they knew who were cast as the leads for the film.
In many ways, the film actually takes away from that experience while watching it on screen because there are many more explicit sexual acts in the book than in the film.
What are some of these conversations and fantasies you're talking about?
Universal Studios/Focus Features
Throughout the first book's more-than 500 pages, most of it consists of pages taken up by text messages and email messages that occur between Ana and Christian. While many are flirty with silly email subjects, some are similar to dirty texts sent between teens or young lovers.
Here's an example of email exchanges between the two. Note that they'll change the subject each time they respond to one another.
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: Chastising ... Me?
Date: May 31 2011 19:22 EST
To: Christian Grey
Dear Sir,
When have I ever plucked up the nerve to chastise you, Mr. Grey? I think you are mixing me up with someone else ... which is very worrying. I really do have to get ready.
Your Ana
--
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Your Behind
Date: May 31 2011 16:25
To: Anastasia Steele
Dear Miss Steele,
You do it all the time in print. Can I zip up your dress?
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
--
From: Anastasia Steele
Subject: NC-17
Date: May 31 2011 19:28 EST
To: Christian Grey
I would rather you unzipped it.
--
From: Christian Grey
Subject: Careful what you wish for ...
Date: May 31 2011 16:25
To: Anastasia Steele
SO WOULD I.
Christian Grey
CEO, Grey Enterprises Holdings, Inc.
The two also have discussions about the different things Ana wants to consent to including:
Ankles bound
Elbows bound
Hands bound behind back
Knees bound
Binding to fixed items, furniture, etc.
Suspension
Blindfolds
Gags
Bondage with rope
Bondage with leather cuffs
Bondage with handcuffs/shackles/manacles
Clamps
Whipping
Paddling
Vibrators and other sex toys
The list goes on, but you get the idea.
The emails are probably the best part of the book, and that's a shame, because they get very little play in the movie.
Keertana Sastry contributed to an earlier version of this story.