Secretary

Rating:
Summary: "Secretary" is actually a cute love story about S&M
Review: Believe it or not the word that kept coming to mind as I watched "Secretary" was "cute." This might strike you as strange given that it is a movie about sadomasochism, but this was the word my wife kept using during the last half of this 2002 film from director Steven Shainberg. I checked out "Secretary" because I heard it was "quirky," which is usually not synonymous with "cute." "Secretary" benefits from perfect casting, with James Spader as Mr. Grey, the paralegal, and Maggie Gyllenhaal as Miss Holloway, the titular character. Obviously, when the word "cute" arises it is intended primarily to describe Gyllenhaal, which is important because her character could be written off as a pathetic soul instead of someone who provokes our sympathy (and perhaps our admiration as well).

Miss Holloway has just been released from a mental institution; she likes to cut herself and the last time she went a bit too far. Now her mother (Lesley Ann Warren) locks up all the knives and the young woman goes off into the world to find her first job. She has excellent typing scores but there is something else that makes Mr. Grey hire her when she goes to her first interview, and several weeks later when she makes an error on a letter we discover what it is: these two were made for each other and soon Miss Holloway is making mistakes on purpose so that Mr. Grey can discipline her.

There are three things that make this movie work at this point. The first is that Mr. Grey orders her to stop cutting herself. Now her pain is going to be administered primarily in terms of spanking, which is nowhere nearly as dangerous as piercing her flesh with sharp objects. She is, by objective standards, better off under his control. The second is that Miss Holloway never expresses fear over what she is being asked to do. Her complete acceptance, combined with the previous point, aid in our acceptance of the situation. The third is that underneath it all "Secretary" is a standard love story. Two people looking for love find each other and struggle to make a complete connection that will allow them to build a life together. There are other characters in this film, but they are all minor players in the main drama between Mr. Grey and Miss Holloway.

Long ago we discovered that in a romance film the "I love you" line is almost never those three particular worlds. It is "Here's looking at you kid," "Where are my slippers," or something equally memorable. "Secretary" is no different in that regard, although it is obviously a film where actions speak louder than words. This is the story of two people who have a love that they are able to make work. That is nothing to laugh at, and, indeed, the film saves its funniest moments for a time when the relationship has been resolved. This is, despite expectations to the contrary and the utter surprise of a large portion of the audience, a cute film.

Final note: Make a point of considering how nudity is used in this film. I think the point in "Secretary" in which the nudity becomes more that brief is rather surprising and it made me think about why it was at that particular point it was used. There is significance to this choice that needs to be appreciated.

Rating:
Summary: it was a disappointment-----
Review: basically i found this movie very disappointing.i watched it with great interest at the beginning and then i just wanted it to get to the end of the movie.i liked the idea that two people with all their quirks found each other.they first had to accept the differences in themselves before they could have a relationship with one another.the movie just lost my interest somewhere in the middle and that "carnival" atmosphere at the end in his office with her family and friends ----i was just rolling my eyes with the corniness of it all.

Rating:
Summary: Really, really not good
Review: I'm going to keep this as short as possible, as I have a tendency to write really long reviews and if I spend too much time expressing disdain for anything I get very depressed.

I was very dissapointed with this movie. I suppose I was deceived by the fact that it was playing at the Angelika when I went to see All the Real Girls (a far better, far sweeter, indie romance). I think this is one of the worst movies I have seen in my life. Director Steven Shainberg uses dull, uncreative angles, which don't help the struggling script. James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal are both very good on their own, but don't work well together. The "awkward" pauses between conversation are too long, making it seem like both actors are silently counting to a number before saying their next line. The whole "love story" doesn't seem to fit. There is no gradual falling in love between the two throughout the course of the movie. Rather, Lee (Gyllenhaal) runs out of her boyfriends house in her wedding dress and tells Grey (Spader) she loves him. It's as if Shainberg uses it to justify the whole BDSM-thing. He dumps this pseudo-sentimental litter on our laps and expects us to take it. I didn't buy it. This isn't a love story, this is a failed indie romance. We're supposed to feel for the characters, but I don't. They just seem like they're lonely, sad people who can't help themselves.

Controversial movies about the taboos of society can be great, if the director is talented and the screenplay is good. Alas, the director is inexperienced, the script is weak, and the movie suffers for it. Not a good pick for a summer afternoon.

Rating:
Summary: Good overall. One unnecessary part weakened second half.
Review: First, let me get this off my chest: I would give this movie five stars except for one long, unnecessary scene near the end of the movie. (*SLIGT SPOILER*)
You know that the main character's boyfriend and her newer love interest, her boss, would eventually meet one another, and that there may be some unpleasantness. That encounter was handled well, but rather than ending the scene shortly, there was a continuation that brought in other characters. This irritated me and seemed to hurt the quality of the movie. Still, I found the majority of the film fascinating and would recommend it.

The acting was great. I have enjoyed James Spader in other films, particularly WOLF and STARGATE. He is definitely a versatile actor! The actor, who played the main character's boyfriend, Jeremy Davies, was good in SOLARIS; I believe the guy is disturbed which may be a compliment to his acting? The movie of course would not work at all if not for the lead actress' character Lee, wonderfully played by Maggie Gyllenhaal. She is thoroughly convincing as a shy, troubled girl, sort of like the sad young woman in the movie LILI. I felt very sorry for her, even though I couldn't relate to whatever pain was causing her to inflict pain on herself. I enjoyed the way the story changed (for the better) and the "relationship" between Lee, and her new boss started to develop. Some of the "kinky" parts may have been unnecessary, but I was convinced by the end the two main characters had reached a "real" relationship based on love and understanding. With any passionate and loving couple, there must be a series of high and low points that make the bond worthwhile, and this movie was one of the few that shows some conflicts rather than just implying "They lived happy ever after." All and all, I enjoyed this film and found it refreshing to the usual, predictable movies being mass-produced for our undemanding public. I rarely ever consider giving a movie five stars, so THE SECRETARY is special, for me anyway.

Rating:
Summary: Romance, comedy and BDSM: What's not to like?
Review: This is a paradigmatic "cult movie." You'll either love it and run out to buy the DVD, or you'll be some combination of baffled and repulsed.

The briefest description I can give is that this movie is sort of what a screwball romantic comedy would be like if it were written by the Marquis de Sade.

Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is a "cutter" (i.e., she inflicts cuts on herself intentionally to deal with the pain and anxiety in her life). She accidentally cut too deep one time, so her family had her institutionalized. She has just been released, and is looking for a job, despite having a complete lack of work experience.

E. Edward Gray (James Spader) is an attorney. When Lee shows up to apply for a job at his office, the reception area looks like a battle scene, and the old secretary is leaving in tears. Gray then asks Lee a series of impertinent questions: "Are you pregnant? Do you plan on being pregnant? Do you live alone?" She ingenuously answers his questions and is hired that day.

Their relationship only gets odder as time goes on. There is obvious sexual tension between the (virginal, we assume) Lee and the recently divorced Gray. Step by step, they escalate from intimate boss-employee conversations to out and out BDSM.

This bare summary makes the story seem dark and sinister. But if you have a morbid sensibility, you'll find yourself chuckling at the movie's sly humor, and being touched by the budding romance between Lee and Gray.

Spader gives, as usual, a fine performance, but Gyllenhaal is just terrific. Without her the movie would not work. She has to seem innocent yet kinky. She has to believable as a person with serious psychological problems, while having an intoxicating effervescence about her. She must manifeset subtle and complex expressions in key scenes. She does it all.

One key scene is the first time Gray disciplines Lee. He humiliates her for a typographical error in a letter she typed, makes her bend over his desk, and then spanks her while forcing her to read the letter out loud. Gyllenhaal's face and voice capture exquisitely the combination of shock, humiliation and arousal that the scene requires. When Gray is finished spanking Lee, he leans forward over her, obviously spent from his effort. His hand is next to hers, and her pinky reaches out to grasp his hand, a subtle indication of the intimacy that they have shared.

This intimacy is important, because it becomes clear that the relationship between Gray and Lee is not just about kinky sex. They are in love, and they need each other. But will the relationship work out? Ironically, although Gray is the "Dom," he is the one who needs Lee to guide him by her submission. But doing so requires that he trust her enough to open up to her.

And, yes, it's also a comedy. Trust me.

The movie is based on a fine short story, "Secretary," by Mary Gaitskill, in her collection _Bad Behavior_, which is a great read (although much darker than this movie).

Rating:
Summary: Ah, Love....
Review: I suberb indy feel movie about several quirky Floridians that lead's to an dominant and submissive relationship. Very tastefully shot and edited. Finding exquisite sensuality in the unlikeliest of circumstances. James Spaders best work since Sex, Lies and Videotape. If you enjoy this film, you might alos like American Psycho with Christian Bale. And vice versa.

Rating:
Summary: Provocatively shocking cinema for select few (4.5 stars)
Review: Every once in a while a movie pops up that appears to be... well, a little bit out there. And 'Secretary' is definitely one of those movies. In fact, it's way, way out there. I'd be willing to bet there's a number of other movies like this that are readily available, but probably weren't as publicly observed as this one. I first took note of 'Secretary' when I saw the trailer for it on TV; though I opted to wait a while to rent it. It was certainly worth my time. The duo of Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader is probably the best interaction between two characters in a film I've ever seen. It's been said time and time again how well they light up the screen with their united acting abilities. Let it be known, it is no fluke. Don't be put off by the movie's apparent sexual prowess and provocative demeanor. When it's all said and done the movie becomes more of a romance than the sadomasochistic stomach-aggravator others make it out to be. It's an exceptionally good movie with watertight performances by Gyllenhaal and especially James Spader (a veteran at roles such as this; i.e. 'Sex, Lies, And Videotape').

People like to start by informing [you] that we first see Lee Holloway (Gyllenhaal) being released from a mental hospital. What they forgot to mention is that the very first scene shows Lee walking around a creepy, musty-looking office with a pole handcuffed over her shoulder and to her hands. THEN (six months earlier) we see Lee being released from a mental hospital. After that shocking opening scene the movie is rather straightforward; letting us know through thoughts and actions that Lee's family is the epitome of a dysfunctional family. A drunk father and an overly-protective, abused mother show us just why Lee has a problem with hurting herself. But as society and Lee would like to think, the whole mental hospital thing helped her. When she is debating whether or not to throw out her intriguingly hidden case filled with knives, needles, and ballet dancer dolls, Lee stumbles upon an ad in a paper for a secretary. We then see her crack a timely smile when typing a letter during a session of a typewriting class. So she heads to this office, wanders her way into its lobby and into a room in which E. Edward Grey (Spader) sits, starring complacently into the void. From the start, Edward is a vague and seemingly sinister man. He asks Lee a number of odd questions--that produce some puzzled responses--that you wouldn't normally hear on an interview, and hires her on the spot. Both characters seem to leer and look at one another in a way that is as bizarre as it is comfortable. In other words, it's very obvious they "like" each other. The work Lee does is tedious ("very dull", as Edward remarks); just typing and copying letters and whatnot. So tedious that it allows for Edward to watch over her every move. Like a perverted hawk he studies her movements and yells at her to fix her spelling mistakes. He pushes her, and she just keeps pushing back. Scene after scene you can feel Spader's character falling in love with Lee more and more. But it's not the kind of love you typically see; there's no kissing, no flirting, and hardly any talking. Just a lot of expressions. If you're not paying attention in the same manner Edward watches over Lee, you'll miss everything and the movie will go right over your head. You know all about the spanking that eventually occurs, I'm sure, but I'm glad to see no one made note of how that cultivates. That part is particularly amiable (choice word). From there it is a struggle for Lee to find common ground with Edward, as she feels so close to him that she can't take it (watching her try to smack herself in the butt with a hairbrush was one of the few comical bits of the movie). But Spader's temperament does not allow for him to give in that easily. He has a meticulously flawless plan for choosing "the one"; a plan that was clearly used on other commendable women before Lee. And after her, if she chooses to be non-submissive (the scheme she fails to understand). As a consequence, that is the whole point of the movie.

Again, 'Secretary' is not that strange of a movie when it's all said and done. It's just the endless actions and scenes that lead up to the climax that make it so different. It's amazing to see how well James Spader handles the role and how alluring Edward becomes over time. I don't like to question Oscar nominations and whatnot, but can honestly say his performance here is one of the greatest I have ever seen in a movie. Trust me, it's that good. And Maggie's disposition (believe it or not, she's a first-timer), although she's the main character, only compliments Spader and his stellar acting. It's so fun to see love being portrayed in such oddity. And it's even better to see how that altered love can heal a person. This movie is almost flawless, and the only part I didn't find fitting was during the ending (which I won't spoil). Watch 'Secretary' if what I have said intrigued you or made you keep reading till this point. By now you know what kind of person you are, and if you're this type of person (or at least can pretend to be), I highly recommend this. Be submissive.

Rating:
Summary: a beautiful romance
Review: This is the most beautiful romance on film since Leaving Las Vegas. These people are damanged, yes, but that's what makes them all the more real. We all have kinks in our closets. Truly wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: In a league of it's own
Review: Secretary clearly doesn't appeal to everyone. Some people would view Lee and Mr. Grey as troubled people with a mental disorder. Some just take it with a sense of humor. But Lee really says it best when she explains how she found love that feels right for her. Nowadays everybody generalizes everything, saying that something or other applies to everyone. Clearly this isn't true, and it's about time more people realized it. Secretary is a beautifully funny, yet serious movie. The performances are astonishing, and why Maggie Gyllenhaal didn't win the Golden Globe is beyond me.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent movie.
Review: People have already given plot details in other reviews...they're missing out on a bit though on what makes this movie stand out and be mememorable--and erotic--beyond your regular "soft porn" or even hardcore movie.

Lee was institutionalized for a suicide attempt--not for the "cutting"--she was distracted when cutting and cut too deep--it was an accident. So...she was treated for the suicide attempt--not for the cutting behavior.
She's a sadist but doesn't realize it. She WANTS to be a secretary--it's her ultimate job fantasy. She wants someone to tell her what to do. Later,when Edward explains to her WHY she cuts herself (it makes her inner pain visible and she can watch it heal--she can't see inner pain and can't make it heal)and tells her YOU WILL NEVER DO IT AGAIN--she gets the control over the behavior that she has fought to control (throwing the "sewing kit" away, then retreiving from the trash). She tried--but was unable to do it on her own. By giving herself over to "a higher power" she finally achieves this and achieves HER ultimate happiness.

I don't think that he ended the relationship because he was disgusted with himself or the situation. I think that was his taking the relationship to a newer, higher level of intimacy. He was punishing her/controlling her. When she was consciously making mistakes and eagerly getting into spanking position, it took away any punishment that it had. What to do now? The ultimate punishment--fire her! She is devastated--and decides to just go and marry her "boy-friend"--a young man who also experienced a "break down" and had been asking her to marry him. But, while trying on her fiance's mother's wedding dress, she realizes what she needs to do. She races to the office, barges in and sits down at his desk and refuses to leave. The ultimate fruition of the relationship--she proves her total and unquestioning devotion to him in spite of other people knowing what's going on--even family and friends. She does this by sitting in his office with her hands flat on his desk without moving from place, not moving, eating,etc-- even urinating on herself--showing him that she is ready to be his submissive--his ultimate slave. AND they live happily EVER AFTER. And that's really the best part in dysfunctional relationships, isn't it?