It’s a happy day when filmmakers’ vision of a film translates perfectly to the audience. That hasn’t exactly been the story withFifty Shades of Grey. This book-to-screen adaptation became a phenomenon when the first one was released in 2015. It was billed as an erotic BDSM romantic drama that would push boundaries. Clearly, it struck a chord with some people, as all three films in the series were massive financial hits. Yet most now view it as more of a comedy.
Fifty Shades of Grey
Based on the book by E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey is the first film in the trilogy that follows naive literature student Anastasia Steele (Dakota Johnson), whose life changes upon meeting the complicated and tormented billionaire Christian Grey (Jamie Dorman). Drawn to each other, the two start a romantic relationship where Steele uncovers Grey’s secrets - and explores her own personal desires.
Similar to other popular romance movies of the time, likeTwilight(more on the connection withFifty Shadeslater), watching this film in current times provides a completely fresh experience. The film follows a soon-to-be college graduate Anastasia Steele as she navigates a relationship with a billionaire named Christian Grey. Quotes and scenes meant to be romantic, intense, or sad, often come across as funny and melodramatic. Here are 10 of these unintentionally funny moments.
10“I don’t think I’ll fit in here, just look at me.” “I am.”
This exchange is one that surely is split down the middle between those who find it swoon-worthy and others who believe it’s too cheesy to handle. Ana and Christian’s first meeting is probably one of the most awkwardmeet-cutes in moviehistory. Because Ana is a quirky, clumsy gal she trips over nothing before entering Christian’s office where she’ll be interviewing him.
It’s a wonder Christian gets anything done and has amassed such an empire, since he has a knack for turning practically everything Ana says into a flirtation or some kind of sexual innuendo.
Setting the Tone
Avid cinephiles are well familiar with the trope of a classically beautiful actress being cast in a role where she has to pretend she’s not pretty/desirable. Johnson delivers the line, “I don’t think I’ll fit in here, just look at me,” when Dornan’s character offers Ana an internship. But before viewers can totally roll their eyes, Dornan simply states, “I am.” It definitely will inspire a chuckle and get viewers primed for more unintentionally funny moments to come.
9“I don’t do the girlfriend thing.”
Inserting sexual innuendos into an interview with a college student he just met. Showing up at her job and acting jealous over her interaction with a male co-worker. Saying he can’t leave her alone when they just met. Yeah, it’s not difficult to see why Christian doesn’t “do the girlfriend thing,” as he so casually tells Ana. This is a classic tale of a “good girl” wrangling in the “bad boy,” showing him that commitment will heal him and she’s just the one who can heal him.
Romance Isn’t Dead
It makes it even more absurd when it’s clear Christiandoesdo the girlfriend thing with his constant romantic (and/or creepy) gestures toward Ana. This story originated as aTwilightfanfic and while it was clear why Edward didn’t want to pursue Bella (he literally wanted to suck her blood), Christian’s I-must-stay-away-from-you stance is puzzling, to say the least.
8“I would like to bite that lip.” “I think I’d like that too.”
How did theatergoers not bust up laughing at this “intense” moment? It’s intensely comical more than anything. This scene takes place after Ana wakes up in Christian’s home. Here, Ana and Christian are having a conversation and she “casually” (aka deliberately obvious) bites her lip. This is often a gesture used in romance books and movies and typically the subtext is there on its own and pointing out this gesture is unneeded.
This Is Supposed to Be Sexy
ButFifty Shades of Greydoesn’t care what’s necessary or not. Christian flat out says, “I would like to bite that lip.” It’s too on the nose to be taken as a serious, sexually charged moment that the filmmakers intended. If that wasn’t enough, Ana’s response is equally as hilarious. “I think I’d like that too.” Unintentionally funny or cringe? Perhaps a little bit of both. Most of the quotes on this list are by Christian, so it’s nice to have Ana equally contributing to the humor.
7“I don’t make love. I f**k… hard.”
With an erotic film, there’s guaranteed to be a handful of quotes from the sexual scenes that stand out. This one perhaps stands out for the wrong reasons. Ana and Christian get back from a romantic helicopter ride and then he asks her to sign a non-disclosure agreement. Nothing says romance like hush money. After setting down her pen, Ana meekly asks Christian if he’ll “make love to [her] now.”
Say This With a Straight Face
Love? Mr. Grey is practically allergic to that word thanks to his dark, mysterious past. He needs to set things straight. Thus, he stands over Ana and spells his philosophy out. “I don’t make love. I f**k… hard.” Both actors receive a lot of flack for their performances in these films, however, the fact they got through this scene without laughing should be applauded.
Related:Jamie Dornan Felt ‘Ridicule’ from Horrible Fifty Shades of Grey Reviews
6“I have rules. If you follow them, I’ll reward you. If you don’t, I’ll punish you.” “What would I get out of this?” “Me.”
ThisFifty Shades of Greyquote is unintentionally funny with or without context. It’s stated fairly early on when Ana and Christian are still figuring out the terms of their arrangement. Christian has a lot of rules for his submissive, including control over what she eats and a requirement to stay in shape. When Ana reasonably asks what she gets out of the deal, Christian seriously answers that he’s the coveted prize.
Christian Grey = A Total Catch?
Imagining someone saying they can treat you however they’d like but at least you get them is so outrageous it’s comical. Sure, Christian is a billionaire and bought Ana cars, took her on trips, etc. That’s part of the fantasy with the ever-so-popularbillionaire romance genre.
Yet it would be helpful in this case if Christian showed a bit more personality to see what draws women, particularly Ana, to him. But hey, the franchise made over $1.3 billion at the box, so these lines clearly worked for lots of people.
5“If you were mine you wouldn’t be able to sit down for a week.”
As previously mentioned, the scene where Ana wakes up in Christian’s room for the first time gives viewers a plethora of quotable lines. Let’s ignore the fact that a young twenty-something wakes up with a hangover in a man’s room who she hardly knows and takes the liberty of undressing her while she was incapacitated. Ignoring the numerous red flags, Ana is eating toast on the bed and Christian can’t help but leap up from where he was sitting to approach her.
Waking Up to This
What comes next is… a lot. Not only does he take a bite out of her food (rude), but before he does that he inexplicably takes off his shirt and says, “If you were mind, you wouldn’t be able to sit down for a week.” Well… okay. She didn’t ask, but thanks for sharing that relevant information with us, Mr. Grey.
Describing emotions and physical sensations is tough. Writers don’t want to fall on the same cliché phrases. Hearts skipping a beat. Blood boiling (sounds like a medical condition that should be checked out). Butterflies in the stomach. Yawn. While a new phrase isn’t necessary all the time, it can help to stretch those creative muscles and try something new. Then again, it can get bizarre. Palm-twitchingly bizarre, if you go too far.
Maybe Too Unique
Ana and Christian are having one of their many little spats throughout the movie. The line on its own is funny in its originality, but it’s even funnier when watched in context. This conversation happens as Christian has Ana thrown over his shoulder, her butt in the air. To top it all off? Christian gets her a quick spank on the rear after he says the line. Can’t go too long without reminding viewers what kind of movie this is.
Related:Dakota Johnson Calls Fifty Shades of Grey Experience a ‘Battle’
3“Roll your eyes at me again and I’ll take you across my knee.”
Viewers knew what they were signing up for when they walked into theaters to see this film and even now when they stream it online (which as of summer 2024 you canfind on Netflix). BDSM and dominant language would be all over this film, and still many can’t help but laugh at the awkwardness of this line.
Followed Through on His Word
As the couple are having a conversation out and about, Ana gives a lighthearted chuckle and rolls her eyes. Christian’s head snaps up, this slight detection of defiance and a personality deeply alarming to him. In a voice that sounds a bit too paternal, he says, “Roll your eyes at me again and I’ll take you across my knee.” Which he later does, by the way, and that scene is also unintentionally humorous.
2“So you’re a control freak?” “Oh, I exercise control in all things, Miss Steele.”
This is another line brought to us by the meet-cute scene. As referenced throughout this article, this first meeting is fraught with uncomfortable moments and silly lines. As Ana stumbles her way through the interview, she asks Christian what he attributes to his success. He starts to give a classic PR answer about finding talented individuals with potential and developing them.
Calm Down, Christian
Ana interjects with, “So you’re a control freak?” which, to be honest, seems out of character from the soft-spoken, nervous gal we met… just a few minutes ago. If we thought Christian could go even a minute without flirting with a woman, he lets audiences know how wrong that assumption is. “Oh, I exercise control in all things, Miss Steele.” We get it Christian, you love to have sexual relations with ladies.
1“Because I’m fifty shades of f****d up.”
Saving perhaps the best for last. Some of these lines maybe one could argue were meant to be a little tongue-in-cheek. However, it’s hard to imagine that the emotional climax where this gem was spoken was meant to be taken in jest. Ana and Christian are arguing at the end about why Christian is drawn to BDSM. Christian shouts, “Because it’s the way I am!” said with so much angst, for a second it seems like he’ll bust out the classic, “No, dad, I’m giving up YOUR dreams.”
Broody Moment for a Broody Man
But no. Instead, he dramatically turns away from the camera and says. “Because I’m fifty shades of f****d up.” Nice elbow-in-the-side moment to draw in the title of the movie. The overdramatic scene and this piece of dialogue is hilarious on its own. For added fun, imagine Dornan himself not taking himself seriously and that’s the true reason he couldn’t face the camera as he said this line.
