Rating: 
Summary: S&M Litened
Review: I agree with another reviewer's observation that this film suddenly changes near the end. All that is achieved in the first four-fifths of the film is diluted in the last fifth by a too complete and convenient (for the film maker) resolution. It's as if the director and the writers after making a great effort for such a long time suddenly succumbed to laziness. The bulk of the film is worth watching but be prepared for a letdown at the end.
Rating: 
Summary: Bizarre and Wonderful. I loved it.
Review: For some reason, I never wanted to see this film. The movie poster put me off somewhat. I figured it would be just another artsy sex film, but how I was wrong. Its starts as the story of a young woman emerging from a mental hospital and back into her life with a dysfunctional family that is all too real. Unsure what to do with her life, she applies for a job as a secretary at a law firm. But this is no ordinary office and Lee is no ordinary girl. Edward and Lee begin a strange and turbulent work relationship that later develops into a Dominant/Submissive relationship. As the film progresses, it becomes more bizarre. ... What makes this film so great is Maggie. She is able to lend an innocent quality to Lee that makes her oddly enduring. Yes, she is submissive and a freak by normal standards, but she is also a demure quiet girl. James Spader is good as well in his role as the sadistic boss that oddly falls in love with her throughout the film. I have to say its one of the strangest romances captured on film and the characters are well-drawn and created in a way that makes them likeable in their own ways. "Secretary" is a film some people will hate. Well, I loved it. Its strange and its fabulous. If you like really different movies, this is the one to see. I give it two thumps up!
Rating: 
Summary: You Don't Get Lower Than This...
Review: This hour and forty-something minute piece of garbage is categorically, emphatically, and undeniably the W-O-R-S-T movie I have EVER seen. Period. I guess the point is to try and introduce Sadomasochism into the "mainstream." Not in the sense of whips, leather, and chains, but more along the lines of two pitiful people with no real way to relate to each other. I can truly say that this was the first time in my life that I was ever embarrassed for the two main screen actors. I wondered why, even with the money, James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal would humiliate themselves this way. It was like looking at an elementary school production, except for these people are supposedly adults. The best thing about this movie was the words, "The End."
Rating:
Summary: actually its 2.5 stars to be exact...
Review: I watched this movie with my best friend.....and i think the best way 2 describe it is ..... interesting....strange.....DIFFERENT. I didnt like it too much....only because....well in some parts it had me a little bored and in the others.....lets just say it aint my kind of movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Weird Movie
Review: This is a strange movie about the relationship of a woman (The secretary) and her boss. They are not what you would consider normal, so their relationship is odd. The movie was slow in some parts and out of sequency in others. I believe most people will not enjoy this film.
Rating:
Summary: Totally Believable, HOT Film..
Review: In the movie, Maggie Gyllenhaal, is a self inflicted cutter.. Her father is
an alcoholic. It doesn't take a whole lot to put two and two together as to
why she cuts herself.. At least it didn't to me. There is a whole lot of
differing opinions on why anyone does the SM lifestyle, but the main consensus
usually ends up that most were raised in some type of dysfunctional
home. Maggie needed to feel that she was "really alive"..she felt virtually
ignored growing up in an alcoholic home, because licquor was the fuel for
her father, enabling him to do it was her Mom's fuel.. leaving Maggie to
flounder in such dysfunction. So to compensate for that, she cuts herself
to watch herself bleed. It did give her a small moment of clarity, of
"realness".. Yet, they locked her up in a mental institution for this. She
had no confidence, no esteem.. nothing.. until she gets that job.. and once
Spader takes on the sadist role, and gives her another outlet for feeling "really alive", she likes it.. :) She wants it to continue forever. :) He tells her what to eat, how to dress, how to do her job, all of that..uses her for his own pleasure, and disciplines her when she screws up..What's not to like? :O))) Mainly Spader pays lots of attention to her, making her feel needed and important. Something she has dreamt of for her lifetime, but never received. Seriously.. The only thing that disturbed me a
bit was Spader's reaction to his doing that. It seemed like he thought himself dirty or cheap for liking to spank women, for the sadistic pleasures..
A movie like this is So hot to watch, especially when you switch.. :) You
can really relate to both sides of it, and feel each person's character
pretty deeply. and to think.. the script was written by a North Carolina
Bible Belt Girl.. :) What do you know?
This film is definitely worth watching, and buying.. If you are remotely interested in the kink.. Even if you are just wanting a titillating film to watch occasionally.. it is worth the purchase price.. Great film! Realistic to some degree. :)
Bout time, is all I can say
Rating:
Summary: Twisted but brilliant!
Review: Fascinating and insightful look into today's ofice society. I must admit, if I had my own personal secretary, I would be tempted to explore this fantasy on a personal level. The main risk of sexual harassment comes from federal laws sponsored by particular civil liberties groups or the crude power-sharing proposals currently being considered by corporate America, which threaten to entrench ethnic or religious differences as well as sexual preference. The most important step towards the further development of a common workplace behavior would be the instigation of a corporate summit that involved all levels of workplace authority. For the subordinates, crucially, that would hold out the promise not just of retaining real autonomy but also gaining fair participation in setting the standards for workplace morality.
Rating: 
Summary: Not at all like I expected!
Review: I mean - granted it was strange, just as the title, cover and previews lead you to believe, but its surprisingly more heartfelt than I expected. The film touches on some very sensitive issues and does so with an awkward class all its own... i dont know what to say. It was good. See it.
Rating:
Summary: Hmmm......
Review: In the film "Secretary," Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is released from a mental institution. It seems that Lee has a nasty habit of cutting herself on purpose with any number of sharp instruments. She returns to the bosom of her dysfunctional family--alcoholic dad and abused mum just in time for her sister's wedding. In a gigantic attempt to improve her life, she attends secretarial school, and armed with her new diploma, she applies for a job at the law offices of E.Edward Grey (James Spader). After a series of rather inappropriate questions, Grey employs Lee on the spot. It's clear that he's intrigued with her--although he disguises it well. A bizarre sado-masochistic begins to develop between the two, and Lee's rather odd boyfriend--who is recovering from a nervous breakdown of his own--remains ignorant of the competing relationship. James Spader has perfected sexual torment to a fine degree, and I thought he delivered a wonderful performance. He was convincing as the sadist who is ashamed of his dark urges, but Lee is so submissive that he can't help exploiting his position as the employer. And so Lee gets many a spanking for typos, and things progress from there. Maggie Gyllenhaal really is impressive in this--her first--role. She plays Lee as a naive, gentle, and vunerable pupil for Grey's discipline. Grey's office--which resembled an erotic boudoir in a brothel--really added to the atmosphere of imminent seduction. There is terrific chemistry between the two, and I found myself looking forward to their next encounter with glee. However, while the comic overtone of the film was very enjoyable, these nagging little doubts were at the back of my mind. This was not a funny situation, and I couldn't forget that Lee is supposed to have JUST been released from a mental institution. The implication, to me at least, is that she was released into the big bad world only to fall in the naughty spanking hands of her employer. Due to her vunerable mental state, there are ramifications of exploitation and victimization here that were not explored at all in the film. This is not a date film--in spite of the heavy romantic elements--and I can't help but think that anyone with strong feminist beliefs would be royally offended by the film--displacedhuman--...
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining
Review: This movie provides a voyeur's view of a dominant/submissive relationship that occurs between two very disturbed individuals. It begins simply enough and is easy to follow. Its complexity through the middle and even to the end is altogether funny and thought-provoking. The actors portrayed their respective roles with compelling emotion. I was never at any time confused and I never once viewed the main characters objectively, which speaks volumes given the nature of their secret compulsion. I rate this one 5 stars and 5 stars again--flawless.
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