Rating: 
Summary: Edgy and Kinky... and definitely not light entertainment
Review: Maggie Gyllenhaal manages to take an incredibly complex role and make it watchable. Lee is a young girl with a history of psychological problems that have led to destructive and suicidal behavior. After a brief glimpse of the sophisticated submissive that she becomes, the story is told in flashback beginning with her release from a psychiatric facility. Coming home to a timid and nervous mother, it's easy to question how effective her treatment was when she immediately takes shelter in her room and reverently fondles the knives that she's used to cut herself in the past. She applies for a secretarial job with Edward, a strangely detached attorney played by James Spader (a few years ago this role would have gone to Christopher Walken). It quickly becomes evident that his performance standards are not necessarily within the norms of conventional office conduct, more apropos of a dungeon than an office. But Lee discovers a bond (no pun intended) that she had never before imagined, and the interplay between secretary and boss, master and submissive becomes fascinating to watch. At times it becomes questionable as to who is manipulating who. But it's clear that these are two very strange personalities that have drifted into a very symbiotic and ultimately beneficial relationship. If images of sadomasochism and bondage will offend you, stay clear of this. But for a very complex character study, it's difficult to top. I can't necessarily say that I would like to have Edward and Lee as next door neighbors, but it is nice that they could find each other.
Rating: 
Summary: Dinner and a Movie...and Sadomasochism?
Review: Perhaps the quirkiest love story every put to film, Secretary is proof that love can be found anywhere, even under a saddle and involving extreme cases of S&M. Lee, a heartsick girl straight out of rehab, thinks she has found confidence in her job as a secretary, working for a lawyer named Edward. She soon finds that not only is she fulfilling her job as receptionist, but also as Edward's awkward sex kitten. By the end of the film the audience is left to feel one of the following: repulsed or lighthearted. This is definitely not a family film, but the final scene remains tender and eye-opening. A romantic comedy in the same vein as Harold and Maude.
Rating: 
Summary: Sexually Charged, Sadistic Romance
Review: First of all, Maggie Gyllenhaal is incredibly cute! She is such an unlikely face for the part of this girl who falls in love with her employer, a lawyer played by James Spader. The story starts with Gyllenhaal just being released from a psych ward for self-mutilating habits. She gets a job at Spader's law office. All seems OK, so far. Soon enough, she becomes involved in a bondage/S&M sexcapade at work with him! Eventually she realizes that she is in love with him.... Stopping there, in order not to ruin the story, let it be said that this movie is not for children. While actual sex and nudity are at a minimum, it would certainly disturb a child. Not quite porn, yet not at all without its extremely erotic overtones. Don't expect to be aroused with your partner by this movie, either. The bondage/love story becomes depressing. Watch this for the story and shock factor alone.
Rating:
Summary: Great Erotic & Disturbingly Romantic Comedy!!!!!!!
Review: This was an absolutely great movie. Me and my girlfriend rented this one night after hearing about it on the Radio, and this has now become one of our Favorite movies to watch together. It's a very Dark Romantic movie involving Control, & Submission, and done in a tasteful way. This is also a great "In The Mood" movie for those who want to explore new directions with their intimacy.
Rating:
Summary: Almost Brilliant
Review: Such a great love story; Maggie Gyllenhaul ( is that spelt right?) is great. It was wonderfully acted. This movie is definitly not for children to be viewing. If you thought a kid under 16 can see this you are wrong, it shows alot of frontal nudity. But this does not mean it is not excellent. I recomend you to buy this and keep it away from you sibling or child. Hope you enjoy it!
Rating:
Summary: honest, complex, and sincere
Review: First of all, the only reason this gets 4 stars instead of 5 is because folks who aren't comfortable with bondage and discipline, sadism and masochism, or dominance and submission will definitely have a big problem with it, and even people who are familiar with the concepts involved may feel sqeamish. The movie feels more true and honest than any sensual movie ever made. It is ~not~ about sex, but it's still sexy. I watched it with my boyfriend and it raised so many questions, thoughts, and ideas that we talked for over an hour afterwards: about sexuality, gender roles, marriage roles, and other 'issues'. It's a romantic comedy, but not for the "Best Friend's Wedding" set.
Rating:
Summary: Fantasy Power Exchange and Erotic Desires on Display
Review: While watching this movie it is helpful to remember one of the most hilarious scenes of all times is the scene in which John Wayne spanks the sassy Maureen O'Hara in the movie "McLintock." This movie is not quite so innocent, however it is at times playfully erotic. Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) makes an amazing transformation in "Secretary," not unlike the transformation of Toula (Nia Vardalos) in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. In both movies, the main virginal character seems to go from shy and reserved to sexy and passively aggressive. A male fantasy in the making. After a brief tantalizing view of who Lee Holloway has become, we are taken back to the start of the story when she first is released from an institution. Lee was admitted because her mother thinks she tried to commit suicide. Unfortunately when she is released, Lee is still using self-mutilation as a way to release her inner pain. She also seems vulnerable and easy prey because she has not developed her inner strength to resist abuse. She also seems to get a rush from being controlled. After taking a typing class and receiving high scores, she finds a job as a secretary in a rather exotic orchid-filled and dungeon-like law office. Each day she disappears into the world of a man who has devious desires. While this is a rather erotic romance, the relationship in the movie was not "loving" in the way I'd imagine loving to be. Edward basically verbally abuses Lee. Some women are naturally submissive and enjoy a strict man keeping them in line. Edward goes over the line. Yes, the spanking was a bit "intense." The type of spanking in the movie "bordered" on abuse although some would say "people who want to be spanked" also harbor guilt feelings they don't seem to be able to purge on their own. Perhaps they were spanked too much as children and never allowed to solve their problems in an intellectual way. I didn't think it was sexy like a "swat" here and there, but thought it was funny for some reason. That must be the dark comedy element or Maggie Gyllenhaal's facial expressions. Let's just say, she isn't crying when spanked. While we realize Lee is just imitating the relationship her parents have, we are not quite sure if E. Edward Grey (James Spader) is just a creepy control freak or a man who is unable to express his sexual feelings without taking them to into the realm of pain? Secretary was interesting from the perspective that they basically present the main characters as being mentally ill. We know that is wrong for people to take advantage of the mentally ill and this movie is dancing on a tightrope. I'd say the way he treats Lee would be considered "major" sexual harassment. Part of the dark humor is that he is a lawyer and knows the rules of the game. Yet, he takes his game very seriously. I did not find Edward's character to be overly likeable even thought he was giving Lee what she seemed to want. Which makes you reconsider what women really want because women are naturally attracted to men who give them a challenge and often women are very attracted to men who continue to abuse them because those men seem powerful When thinking about the entire S&M love relationship it seems there are various levels of control and submissiveness. Unlike most bondage and sado-masochism games a word that means "STOP" was never used in this movie. These types of games are not one sided as presented in this movie. What occurs in this movie doesn't seem appropriate for people who barely know one another. Which is why it seems to work well on the fantasy level. This movie will appeal to your darkest side but it might also draw on your sympathy for both characters who seem to be in emotional pain. They also both had a tendency to "throw beautiful and useful things away" which showed a total lack of love. It was like they were throwing "beauty" away. Not only did they throw "useful" material possessions away, they were just as willing to throw people away. I lost all respect for Lee when she rejected her fiancé (Jeremy Davies). There were nicer ways to break off a relationship. That was harsh. It was like she chose abuse over love. I thought this movie was probably sending a subconscious message about how we all abuse and use one another in society. Either that or it is a secret plot by men to get women to stay home and be their sex pets. Feminists will not be impressed. Submissive women will probably enjoy this movie.
The fantasies they presented in this movie include: The perfect stranger, raunchy sex, sex at work, fantasy worlds, fur coats (in the pictures), dressing to please, slave and mistress, bondage, sexy photographs, soap and water, food, skin, fetishes (dog collar that she wears with hand cuffs). Whoever rated this should be told: "Your behavior was very bad." Then they should be spanked for punishment and told to give this the proper rating which seems to be NC-17. Henry and June is similar in content if you are looking for a movie for comparison as far as ratings go. The R-rating is disappointingly blurry and not very helpful. No vanilla ice cream here, just mental candy. A reviewers dream movie because there is so much to analyze. ~TheRebeccaReview.com
Seeking to at times analyze the unexplainable.
Rating:
Summary: Peronsaly Favorite
Review: Secretary is an unconventional love story involving Lee (Maggie Gyllenhall) and her employer, Mr. Grey (James Spader). Lee is a troubled young woman with an alcoholic father and a desire to inflict pain on herself (something she has done since the 7th grade). After spending some time in an instution she attends a community college and then seaks employment and is hired by Mr. Grey as his secretary. This leads Lee into the journey from darkness into light. Although what she considers light is not the most conventional. She takes pleasure in pain, spanking and obeying any order that Mr. Grey gives her. But, at the same time, the movie was able to keep a softness and caring surrouding the two as they traveled down this road together. I found the acting to be amazing and, despite several minutes of boredom towards the end of the movie, I greatly enjoyed the movie and it is one of my new personal favorites.
Rating:
Summary: unexpectedly moving and beautiful
Review: ...I thought it would be dumb with some good sex scenes, for that is what I heard about it.
However I was most pleasently surprised when I saw that SECRETARY was full of real pain and turmoil and longing and pure human emotion. I was so absolutely moved by this movie that I watched it once and then immediatly watched it a second time all the way through, with equal amounts of crying my eyes out at the end, starting at the part where Edward picks Lee up from his desk in her wedding dress. I'll admit I watched the ending about four or five times because I thought it was so beautiful. Everyone should see this movie.Hands down
Rating:
Summary: Tedious allegory
Review: The trailer, cover, and sleeve all hint unashamedly at an adult theme - sexually charged, and almost bordering on fetishism. What we actually have is a tardy allegory of the proclivities of two individuals who get thrown together in very unlikely fashion. The opening five minutes pulls you in and then annoyingly proceeds (like so many movies today) in retrospective fashion, outlining it's tale. A damaged, disturbed young woman finds solace in the employ of a compulsive and manipulative (if reluctant) lawyer and embarks on a series of ever more daring, and often bizarre role playing encounters. I would love to give more praise for actually outstanding performances, but the script is weak, and does not explore fully enough the story behind the story. A very good idea, handled very badly. Give it a miss.
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