Secretary

Rating:
Summary: Making the case for half stars....
Review: Secretary is a 3 1/2 star movie, unfortunatley Amazon doesn't allow one to be so picky and we must choose between 3 and 4 stars. I enjoyed Secretary a lot while watching it, however I feel it never quite attains 4 star status, although to condemn it to the level of the 3's seems a trifle harsh.
The movie itself suffers from the same indecision. It is unsure whether to be a campy play on an S&M relationship, or whether to be a serious Solondz-esque examination of the dark side of the suburbs. In the end it fails to achieve either. The plot of the movie has been adequately described by other reviewers, and one doesn't want to give too much away. The movie itself can be split into 3 main sections, which i shall name after the key ideas - Degredation, Devotion and Disgust.
Degredation - The start of the movie revolves around degredation. The central character, Lee, is a self-abuser, freshly released from and institution. In the minds of the writers, this means she needs a new pastime to stop her from cutting herself. The self bause here though is never shown on screen, making it hard for us to relate to the character - i think this is a cowardly move on behalf of the director. What happened, he didn't want to scare off the suburbanites? Anyway, while the self abuse is pretty much left to our imagination, we are treated to a full rendition of the flowering relationship between her and her passive/aggressive boss. Dr Grey is a lawyer with a particularily strong line in tough love, and we get to watch his transformation from a "Bottom" to a "Top", as he gets over the loss of his previous mistress and sets about enslaving Lee. To enslave her me must first degrade her, and the most interesting scene in the first 1/3 of the movie occurs when he forces Lee to go dumpster-diving for a document he carelessly threw out. The juxtaposition of her, in short skirt and high heels, climing into a dumpster and playing in the trash forces him to do some heavy exercise, presumably to punish himself both for the rising sexual urge and for degrading her in the first place.
The themes are expanded in the second third of the movie, which i refer to as Devotion. Here the lines between their work relationship and master/slave relationship are played out in a series of interesting scenes (her red pen fetish, his all-consuming guilt), and then increasingly blurred as these worlds become inseparable. All good things must come to an end though, and she has to go and spoil everything by falling in love with him. Chicks, eh? While his revulsion at his own acts causes him to push her away. Men, eh? This is where the movie works best, exploring the self-destructive streak in all of us in our quest for love, using S&M merely as a metaphor for our own internally paradoxical desires to be in control of our world and hopelessly dependant on someone else. You could get freudian here and delve into Eodipal undercurrants, but space forbits it here...

I said the end of the movie is characterized by Disgust. That was all mine. Having set up an interesting premise and painted detailed portraits of the human psyche, the film makers run out of ideas and suddenly try to bring the movie to an end as abruptly as possible. I don't want to "spoil" the ending, but it steals from Kafka's "Hunger Arist" short story, Tom Robbins' "Still Life With Woodpecker" novel and Radiohead's "Just" video and in the end plays more like a Renee Zelwegger film, which is ultimately a shame, and reduces the movie to the three star level.
This is one of the sexiest movies i've seen all year - some of the scenes in the middle third are charged with erotic tension without resorting to nudity or even overt sexuality, however in the end (like the movie's best set pieces...) it is ultimately unsatisfying and one is left somewhat unfulfiled.
( As a sidenote, I wonder if genuine S&M afficinados find the premise that one must be disturbed or unhinged to enjoy S&M ill-educated or just insulting...)
A friend of mine saw this movie and walked out halfway though. I recommend oy uwalk out 2/3 of the way though and leave it perfect in your mind....

Rating:
Summary: So great!
Review: A strange film that takes you into another world...wonderful acting...simply a superb movie!!

Rating:
Summary: Fascinating Portrayal
Review: This is a great film about a kinky woman and her kinky boyfriend. Let's just say one thing, this lady has Borderline Personality Disorder. Big Time. But in any case, since this syndrome can scarcely be dealt with, it's best to show some compassion and understanding - here it is...

Rating:
Summary: A quirky story, but it works!
Review: This is not necessarily the prurient film it touts itself to be. I was surprised it was much more serious and much more beautiful - - yes, beautiful - - a story than I had ever anticipated! This film could easily have become much more twisted and dark (Boxing Helena, anyone?) or much more campy (Frankenhooker), but instead it evolves into an examination of a mutually satisfying relationship - - on an emotional level, even though there is a lot of the physical going on. There is humor, but it is subtle enough to kind of tickle your brain fleetingly and keep you in the story. The submission/domination plot line is actually very cerebral. I think you could actually get two very different movie-going experiences with this film. One would be a "oh, what a sweet movie, plus I got some kinky eye-candy to boot" and the other would be an experience where you recognize symbolism, you examine self-empowerment issues, you mentally debate feminist vs traditional ideals, etc. But then again, maybe I just think too much!

James Spader (as Edward) is just wonderful at playing this type of character, tortured and mysterious, and Maggie Gyllenhaal (as Lee) very effectively blossoms from beginning to end of the story. The extraneous characters are developed just enough to give you a good sense of what their roles (dysfunctions and all) are before the story begins, and leaves them at that. Yes, I had questions but easily let them go. The true focus is on Lee and Edward. I must also mention, without actually spoiling the plot for you, the storyline between the pinnacle of the conflict to the ending is just fraught with fantastic symbolism, utilizing nudity, nature, water, light. It really piqued the intellectual part of my brain.

All in all, I think this movie could be one of my new favorite love stories. I'm not a fan of the Meg Ryan/Tom Hanks syrupy sweet romantic comedies, but "Secretary" was much easier for me to relate to because the characters are so non-perfect. As a mother, this is not a movie I would be comfortable watching with my children present. I am not a prude, and certainly not opposed to a good swat on the behind now and then, but there is one scene in particular that would bring up too many questions. It is, after all, rated R for a reason.

Rating:
Summary: A Wild Movie
Review: I had heard a lot about this movie but made no rush to see it because I thought it might be indy garbage, but I was so wrong. This movie was captivating from beginning to end and the twists and turns were shocking. I don't want to include any spoilers in my review, but this is one that I would recommend to mature viewers. It tackles so rather risque subjects that tamer viewers might find disturbing.

Rating:
Summary: I wouldn't force you to become a slave to Secretary, but you
Review: I have to be honest with you all. I've never engaged in deviant sexual behavior. I don't know why? But I guess maybe it's because Hollywood movies try to make that kind of lifestyle seem so silly, or maybe it's cause it hurts to have a whip to your rear, or to get spanked with an open palm. I myself do not enjoy getting spanked but maybe you do! If this is true than Secretary is the kind of movie for you!

Maggie Gyllenhaal (Confessions of a Dangerous Mind) plays Lee Holloway a young woman who has just left a metal institution on the eve of her sisters wedding. She was in there cause she likes to cut herself and when she gets home you understand why. Her father is a viscous drunk and her parent fight all the time. The father is also quite abusive. Poor Lee has nothing else to do but get a job. So when she finds an ad in the paper for a secretary she jumps at the chance.

The job is working for a lawyer named E. Edward Grey (James Spader, Stargate) an interesting cat, whom has a fiery temper and a gentle streak as well. That is until he realizes his attraction to Lee and begins to beat her. Luckily it a sexy beating and she likes it.

Secretary was a film I bought right up until near the end. I began to understand the plight of two people with serious problems to deal with. I think the film is sensitive to their plight. But then there is this scene late in the film where a large crowd gathers around the law firm. I couldn't understand why this scene is necessary. I had hoped it was some wild dream in Lee heads, but no.

That being said I believe Gyllenhaal does an adequate job with Lee. The performance runs the risk of falling into Mira Sorvino lands (a place where you make up a funny voice and that's called acting quirky (see Mighty Aphrodite)) but it doesn't. She has this sense of wonder in her voice, I loved the little scene in the bathtub where she's practicing how to answer the phone, it is just adorable.

Spader's character is good. It's just not drawn well enough. After the film was over I still longed to know what made him tick, I wanted to know what made him hurt, and I wanted to know what causes a successful man to want to dominate women like he did. But the film doesn't like to tell secrets.

There is also a subplot I felt was unnecessary. It concerned Lee and a local boy named Peter (Jeremy Davies, Spanking the Movie) and their sweet little relationship or was it? I guess it was meant to mirror her and Grey's, against her parents. But I don't think it was effective as it should have been. I would zone when Peter arrived on the scene. It's too bad cause I normally like Davies' roles.

Director Steven Shainberg (Hit Me) has crafted an interesting but not terribly compelling story. I can understand how the indi crowd could come to embrace it. It's full of some really original ideas. But the problem with original ideas is if you introduce a less compelling idea it usually falls flat. SECRETARY is still a good movie just not a great one.

I wouldn't force you to become a slave to Secretary, but you'll probably like it anyway.

***1/2 (out of 5)

Rating:
Summary: wonderful surprise
Review: This movie didn't seem like anything special when I looked at the cover. Half way through the movie there wasn't anything that would've distracted me. Towards the end of the movie I was hanging on what would happen next.

This movie is worth the price of admission for you and a date!

Rating:
Summary: What is it and who is it for?
Review: This is a carefully made movie with fine, nuanced performances. But to be frank, its too funny to be serious; too serious to be a comedy; too unsettling for men; way too unsettling for women.

It might have worked if the sets weren't so unreal. But the idea seems to be that some people find love this way yet its something like Being John Malkovitch meets Eating Raoul. In other words, amusing but totally unreal.

So who is this for? I would guess, people at film festivals and the French.

Rating:
Summary: THIS ONE SHOULD READ...Open Minded Viewers Need only Apply!
Review: I saw this movie in the theater, another one of those "art-house flix-that-my-boyfriend-has-dragged-me-to" is what I thought. LOL

Definitely not what I expected.. it starts off rather dark and you don't know what to make of Maggie Gyllenhaal "Lee" character. I mean she gets out of the mental institution and is still cutting herself. Her home is dysfunctional and Mom is very protective of her (or scared that she will do something drastic to herself again) and her Father is kind of screwed up all on his own. James Spader is just what she needed, and he is just what she needed. :)

James does a wonderful job as the tortured soul in this movie that has to fight himself, when he thinks there is something wrong with what they are doing. The hurt that Lee (Maggie) feels when she is rejected by Spader is so real and painful to see, that you at once realize this as more than just 2 injured people living out there non-traditional sexual desires.

I won't go into the details regarding the plot since it's been done so many times in the reviews before me. I will just say that at the core of this movie is a Man that has some bizarre tendencies and a Woman that has her very real dysfunctional issues. Through their own way and communication they discover a healthy albeit strange Love for one another. It is a rather touching love story in the end... it's just the way they get to it that is rather............. interesting. I know you may read a lot of reviews on this movie that says it's very Sexual... It is but not over whelming... I mean I just saw {Sex and Lucia} and {Y Tu Mama Tambien} which both had a EXTREME amount of sexuality. This one (in my opinion) is more subtle than those two. I can tell you this for a fact you may find yourself coming away from this movie with a different understanding of S&M or of the blurred line between the Dominator and the Sub.

I only recommend it for those that can have a open mind about non-traditional Sex roles or for those that can appreciate a somewhat Twisted movie.

Respectfully Reviewed

Rating:
Summary: No normal job description for this secretary!
Review: Secretary is a black comedy piece from director Steven Shainberg. Shainberg previously directed the forgettable "Hit Me", and it's clear from this film, that he's growing into his craft. The film is worthy of the acclaim it received, although it will never be a mainstream favorite. Both James Spader, who has made a career of quirky parts, and Maggie Gyllenhaal, in her first major role, are outstanding as brooding employer/employee who share a dark secret of dominance.

Lee, Gyllenhaal's character, invented the word dysfunctional, and exhibits destructive behavior, even though she's just been released from a psychiatric care facility. Lee's a cutter, and just having her back in the house again is upsetting for the rest of her loony family.

The film makes you feel as though you are with Lee, waiting to determine whatever it is in life that could possibly make her happy. You begin to think she's stumbled into the subservient role as secretary to the tightly wrapped E. Edward Gray, awaiting his commands, whatever they might be. It is only as the relationship evolves that you can see how much they both gain from it, and how this becomes a romance that perhaps only the two of them can appreciate. Shainberg's given us a film that is a rich tapestry of color and movement, he's made us care about his wounded and complex characters, and placed comic touches in a film that doesn't become either voyeuristic or over-the-top with kinky images.

Viewers be warned, there are a number of fetishes played out on the screen, bondage, and nudity. There probably could have been an NC-17 rating assigned to the film. But if you skip it, due to this, be aware that you may be missing the beginning of two great careers, those of Shainberg & Gyllenhaal; as well as some of Spader's best work.

Technically, the DVD has little to offer beyond the film itself. Had it had some depth, I might well have rated this 5 stars!