Secretary

Rating:
Summary: Love With a Twist!
Review: I knew what I was getting into when I rented this movie. I had seen a very short scene of the movie on a documentary about it done on television. Unfortunately, I only saw a minute of the introduction on television. When I saw the description on t.v., I knew it was something I wanted to see.

Before I knew it, (or more like didn't know it), I had forgotten about this movie. Then one day, fate hit me on the... well... let's just say fate hit me! I saw this movie sitting on the shelf at my local Blockbuster, and WAH-LAH! That very night I popped it into my DVD player and I was, how can I say this... pleasantly surprised!

This movie is a different love story, something you're not going to see everyday. Miss Halloway embarks on an unexpected journey when she applies for a job at an attorney's office. Previously, she had been in a mental institution for her tendency to self-mutilate herself. This tendency was caused by events happening in her life. Let me just say that once she meets Mr. Edward Grey (SIR!), she no longer needs to punish herself.

This is a brave, sweet, romantic and cute movie that might end up on your own shelf before you know it. It is beyond any doubt the most unique movie I have ever seen. I welcome any movie that shows love in all shapes, sizes and forms! Watch this movie! (I recommend this movie ONLY to people with open-minds!)

Oh yes, I have ONE last thing to say: James Spader is absolutely SEXY in this movie! They couldn't have done a better casting job.

Rating:
Summary: Highly Recommended For Young Lovers Wherever You Are
Review: This movie is absolutely perfect for entertainment on a first or second date with someone you've only recently met and developed attraction for. Prepare a nice home-cooked meal, dim the lights, find a comfortable sofa, and watch this film together. It is a delightful romantic-comedy romp exploring the hilarious dynamics that often erupt between lovers when they first discover one another and decide to pursue a relationship. It's also a fun film to consider over the Christmas holidays, when you visit your parents and everyone in the family wants to stay inside and watch a movie together. Ice down some sodas, make some bowls of popcorn, gather all the kids in the den and watch this whale of a movie together -- it will become a repeat seasonal favorite, one to which you return year after year, just like "It's A Wonderful Life." Enjoy !!

Rating:
Summary: WHAT IS THAT ?
Review: It was one of the worst movies if not the worst,I've ever seen.Boredom and perversy at the uttermost level.It's not to say that "Spader" and "Gyllenhaal" are unimpressive.Indeed,they both perform excellent acting and they would be extolled if they've starred in somethink better.But purchasing and watching this movie is simply waste of time and money.I rue the day I bought it.

Rating:
Summary: THIS MOVIE ROCKS
Review: I've never seen a movie like this. Amid the Dominant/submissive theme is a touching love story between 2 interesting characters.

Rating:
Summary: This is S&M "lite".
Review: Not much of a black comedy at all. With all the fuss & press I expected more than a little spanking with clothes on & simulated body cutting. James Spader was flat & not really focused. The only thing that saves this movie was a wonderful performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal, given the fairly weak material.

Rating:
Summary: Great chemistry!
Review: This movie is definitely not for everyone, but I really appreciated the erotic elements it explored. The sexual tension between the characters is amazing -- every line seems charged. James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal are really terrific. This was a brave film, exploring a type of sexuality that is often taboo and doing it in a comedic way within the context of a real (if unusual) developing love story. Loved the strange imagery and the glimpses that we get into the characters' erotic practices. I only regret that we couldn't see just a little bit more of what goes on between E. Edward Grey & his secretary....

Rating:
Summary: loved it
Review: Basicly I wanted to write this review to say a few things about this movie.

One: The ending was perfect. Other submissives would understand the significance of what she did to prove her love to her Dom that could not accept that some one would love him so much. She did exactly as he told her to, despite others that pleaded with her to stop. It was beautiful to watch.

Also, she was only in the mental ward cause she had an accident. As a masochist and an old cutter, it was nice to watch the parallel of the two in this movie. The expression on her face when she was spanked for the first time was priceless.

I recomand this movie to any one that is interested in BDSM, or is already in the lifestyle. It shows the human side of things, not just the kink. ^_^

Rating:
Summary: Gyllenhaal stunning in racy "Secretary"
Review: Granted that SECRETARY is indeed "original", since it captured the "Originality award at Sundance 2002, Steven Shainberg presents a most unconventional love story, if it can even be termed 'love'...Well, I suppose so.

Maggie Gyllenhaal, the female counterpart of the dynamic bro/sister acting powerhouse that is Jake and Maggie, stars in her first truly breakthrough role as the emotionally withered waif Lee who works her way from the bottom up at a seedy law office run by vulture-like Edward (James Spader). Things look innocent at first, then the sensuous romp really begins, when Ed forces Lee to deliver papers on all fours, play "horsey", and don various S&M devices. Sexual pleasure, or merely a kindered spirit? Just another working girl? Maybe. Eventually, Lee is torn between obssession and mediocrity in her would-be fiance, played by Jeremy Davies.

While "Secretary" is no lightweight, it may present some viewers with issues of moral contridiction. What is true love? Is it always the most pure and innocent of heart, or the one who will best foster our needs, be they inane fetishes or no? Perhaps Shainberg is too hellbent on creating psychological depth in character, or in the case of Ed, not enough of it. I would love to give into the conclusion that Ed and Lee live happily ever after. But while Shainberg molds his characters convincingly, he forgets a helping of heart and compassion, which seems stiffled and repressed.

What's wrong with innocence and love? Nothing apparently, but I guess bizarre fetish and sado-masochism goes a lot farther. Atleast that will keep your peepers on the screen for the hour and a half that is "Secretary". Kitchy, nostalgic colors and tones in the production values, and Gyllenhaal's powerhouse pormance compensate for a lack of charm just barely.

Rating:
Summary: Worst "so called" black-comedy I have ever seen!
Review: I did a search for black comedy movies and was happy to have found a newer release of a film of which I had not heard of. This is not a good movie! I hated every second of it. The acting was utterly horrible and one can feel no emotion for any character involved. The people in this movie live in a unbelievably fake world. I am a fan of black comedy movies like Storytelling, Welcome to the Dollhouse, American Beauty, and tv series like 6 Feet Under (on HBO), etc. but this is the worst so called black comedy I have ever sat through! It is a pure waste of time...that is unless you enjoy dream land and no depth in a character.

Rating:
Summary: I'll watch Secretary again, and am glad to own the dvd
Review: I enjoyed this unconventional love story. I think it is artfully told, the viewer gets enough information in a variety of ways (sometimes unspoken) to see how much these two people have suffered, being "not normal". Anyone who has had difficulty grappling with any part of their own inherent nature which might seem outside the norm should appreciate this movie. I am thankful that people are making movies like this, and speaking the unspoken to educate and entertain. If kinky sex or power play seem sick and disturb you, perhaps you should see this movie. If dominance and submission (in a real life sense, not a porn sense) are intriguing to you, you should definitely watch this movie.