Genre: Drama/ Comedy/ Romance
Runtime: 104 minutes
Year: 2002
Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Spader, Jeremy Davies, Lesly Ann Warren
Description: A young woman (Maggie Gyllenhaal), recently released from a mental hospital, gets a job as a secretary to a demanding lawyer (James Spader), where their employer-employee relationship turns into a sexual, sadomasochistic one.
Review: Lee Holloway has just been released from a mental hospital. She was depressed and because of her home situation she mutilated herself. Once Lee is back home, she decides to find a job. She is hired as a secretary at a lawyer’s office. Her boss E. Edward Grey is not your typical, standard boss. The man is shy, clumbsy when it comes to communication, but has tons of charisma. Lee sees a certain attraction in Grey. Lee finds out that when she makes mistakes, Grey ‘punishes’ her. And she likes being submissive.
“Secretary” is a movie that can not be compaired to any other film. It has so many elements. The story and its execution are very original. It’s all kind of absurd and none of the characters is really normal. Maggie Gyllenhaal, who plays leading character Lee, is a shy woman who discovers herself and her new obsession.
Although the theme is pretty controversial, the movie is somewhat mild when it comes to this theme. Some spanking here and there. And although Grey and Lee are both weird characters, they interest you and you feel for them.
“Secretary” is a film I didn’t have high expectations for, but it really surprised me and I actually loved it. Absurd characters, subtle humor. Not a film for everyone, but definitely worth watching.
Rating: 4,5/ 5
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