Secretary (2002) (Ws Dub Sub Chk Rpkg Sen)

Secretary (2002) (Ws Dub Sub Chk Rpkg Sen) Review

One of those take it or leave it, hate it or love it movies, Secretary is an on the edge yet non-judgmental look at BDSM, or, to the squares out there, Bondage Domination Sadomasochism.

Innocent and self-destructive, and recently released from a psych ward, Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) self-mutilates to make up for her poor self-esteem and repressed sexual submissiveness. After taking up typing she applies for a job as a secretary for E. Edward Grey (James Spader), an OCD lawyer with an apparently bustling law practice. As the two grow to know one another, they learn a shared appreciation for an unorthodox physical, psychological, emotional attraction that transforms Lee from a pathetic girl next door into a more confident person and unleashes the creepy sadist sequestered inside Grey's calm demeanor.

Gyllenhall and Spader act perfectly, but I suspect it's because they're perfect for the role. She conveys emotion perfectly in this role because she appears to be a person of great emotional fragility and considerable deferment. On the other hand, Spader delivers every role in his own collected style that's a bit too good not to be partially truthful. I can't imagine any other actor in either role.

Romantic and taboo at the same time, the plot flows well with some dark humor filling the gaps between BDSM scenes. Beautifully filmed shots of long hallways in which secretaries must crawl to their master and hard desks on which delicious derrieres receive rosy handprints. Highly recommended.

Jason Elin

Secretary (2002) (Ws Dub Sub Chk Rpkg Sen) Overview

Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) has a few strikes against her when she applies for a secretarial position at the law office of E. Edward Grey (James Spader). At first the work seems quite normal but soon, in between typing, filing and coffee making, Lee and Mr. Grey embark on a more personal relationship together, crossing the lines of conduct that would give any human resource director the vapors!

Secretary (2002) (Ws Dub Sub Chk Rpkg Sen) Specifications

This kinky love story features a standout performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal, an offbeat young actress in her first starring role. Gyllenhaal plays Lee, a nervous girl who compulsively cuts herself, who gets a job as a secretary for Edward, an imperious lawyer (James Spader, an old hand at tales of perverse affection). Edward's reprimands for typos and spelling errors begin with mild humiliation, but as Lee responds to his orders--which are driven as much by his own anxieties and fears as any sense of order--the punishments escalate to spankings, shackles, and more. Secretary walks a fine line. It finds sly humor in these sadomasochistic doings without turning them into a gag, and it takes Lee and Edward's mutual desires seriously without getting self-righteous or pompous. Certainly not a movie for everyone, but some people may be unexpectedly stirred up by this smart and steamy tale of repressed passion. --Bret Fetzer

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