Fifty Shades Darker readers have many things to look forward to in James Foley’s film adaptation, out Friday. Two of those things are silver, shiny, and possibly quite cold. I am of course talking about the Ben Wa balls Christian asks Ana to wear to his parents’ masquerade charity ball. Ben Wa balls are also known as vaginal balls and are used for sexual stimulation because IDK, teasing is fun sometimes and Christian is really into teasing. While the book is devoted to explaining in great detail what Ana and Christian must do before the balls are ready for use — making them (even Christian) sound like they’re reading from an Ikea manual — the film gets right into it. Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson make it look fun. Thanks to sexy cuts, the scene follows the balls’ quick journey from Ana’s mouth to Christian’s hand before settling into their temporary home for the evening. It’s hot. It’s rhythmic. It’s Ana and Christian as they should be.
The scene is also one of the film’s best because it manages to sneak in a funny moment between our lead lovers. When she sees the balls, Ana has the most Ana reaction: “I’m not putting those up my butt.” Feel free to get back to me about your fellow audience members, but the majority of the theater I was in erupted in pure joy and laughter, and not the laughter that’s nasty, critical, or cruel. Nope. It was the kind of laughter that roughly translated to, That was fucking fantastic. I hope there are more jokes like that. Who knew Dakota could be so funny? And who knew that that was just the beginning of Darker’s sprinkles of wit? Before Ana finishes getting dressed for the ball, Christian gives her a second gift, a pair of silver earrings. He cautions that they’re for her ears and ears only and that she should wear the silver satin dress because duh, that’s her theme for the night. Yes, Jamie can be funny too.
“Do you think people know I’m wearing silver inside too?” —Ana, probably
Unlike the book, and perhaps to further drive to the point that Ana and Christian’s relationship really is changing for the better, Ana does not excuse herself at the masquerade to remove the balls, which are seemingly affecting everything she does. We are to believe that Ana is aroused (or at least feels something) every time she claps, giggles, crosses her legs, or talks to Mia (Rita Ora) or Christian’s mother. Ana even bids on Christian’s chalet in Colorado while wearing the Ben Wa balls. Does this mean they also make her feel powerful and brave enough to just drop $24,000 on a rental her rich boyfriend could’ve taken to her for free? With our imagination and trust, the film extends the life of these silver balls, which don’t come out until after Christian spanks Ana (her request, not his) in his childhood bedroom. In agreeing to wear the balls, Ana comes out on top, fully aware of what she wants and how to get what she wants.
