Rating: 
Summary: (4.5 stars) A slightly flawed but beautiful movie!!!
Review: This movie is so wonderful.While not for everyone, I wish I could say it was for everyone, but it certaintly isn't.A lot of people will be turned off, or uncomfterable by the subjects presented in this movie.But if you have an open mind, then you just have to see this movie!!Even though it goes into sadomasochism(did i get that right),and the acts of dominants/submissives, you certaintly do not have to be involved with any of these acts in order to love this movie.I mean, I'm 13, so I obviously don't have any experiences with these themes.Like I mentiones previously all you need is an open mind.I expected this movie to take sadomasochism and make a big gag out of it, but it didn't.It dealt with the topic so sensitively, that for the first time in my life, I started to view these people not as sick people, but just as slightly irregular regular people with different needs.But I believe that sadomasochism is just a sub-theme, and that the real theme of this movie is,living,being happy,or in this case becoming happy.We start out with two broken characters, and together,they can live healthy, if slightly different lives.Maggie is just magical,and such a special and unique presence.I believe she makes the film what it is.We view her transformation from a bruised,closed-up little girl, into a confident,acceptive of her own-differences young woman.She has such a future ahead of her.James Spader tends to act a bit too silly to overcome his good looks, but overall, he turned in a great performance. I just wish that the movie would have had a bit more of a bckround on James Spader's character, and that the ending was a little too spontaneous for me.This movie was funny,sad,quirky,and totally heartwarming.It looks at love from a different level, not just the one that we've been fed with over the years.In the end, they're just two people, who,together, accept themselves for what they are, and come to realize that they ain't that bad.You gotta see it!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Caning Candy
Review: People may say that Secretary is all about sadomasochism, but, its more about it's characters, than what they do. Yes, Secretary takes a look a sodomasochism in a new kind of light; No one is dressed in leather; You don't feel like it ought to be called "The Rubber Ball"; They are just people... with needs- it's about what's normal about them, rather than what may be considered deviant that makes it worthwile.
The characters are played extremely well. Lee Halloway, and Mr. E. Edward Gray are phenominal. They have an irristable dynamic.
Were I to categorize this, I would have to place it with the romantic comedies.
This is something I would feel okay seeing with my mom, but, not my kids. The scenes are not too terribly graphic, overall, but some are questionable, and inappropriate for youngsters.
Rating:
Summary: An Amazing Journey
Review: The Secretary is such an amazing movie...it's a
brief excursion into a woman's journey of self-discovery.
Life is full of pain...but it can be eroticized and
even healthy. The process of learning how to accept
yourself and all your kinks is worth the agony. For
some (certainly not all) the path taken by the main
characters is what leads them to that fairy tale
ending...although I prefer a dungeon in my fairy tales:)
Rating:
Summary: Life... Uncut
Review: Secretary provides its audience with a balance of life's issues. This witty portrayal of a scarred girl's journey to self-actualization should be a number one choice for the open-minded movie buff. Reality... sex isn't just white cotton sheets and candle light. For some sex requires more maintenance. Reality... when life hands you a lemon, most don't make lemonade. Some take drastic measures to release their pain, whether safe or not. If you are ready to step out of the box, watch Secretary to enlighten you.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Okay, the actual dvd isn't available yet, I've just pre-ordered mine. Anyway, if you love BDSM, then I think you'll love this movie. It's a great movie to watch with your sub, Dom, Top, or bottom. I think it tends to speak more to the younger crowd, but don't let that stop you. I attended a showing of this movie a few months ago, and am happy to see it is finally available for purchase. I'm not a big movie buyer, but this was on my list of "Worth Owning".
Rating:
Summary: Funny, touching and smart!
Review: I actually saw this movie with my boss *wink, wink* *nudge, nudge* When I first learned about this movie I was hoping they wouldn't take BDSM and make it silly or cheesy. The topic was dealt with so beautifully and not at all silly. This is one of the best movies I have ever seen and deals with some very touchy subjects. Maggie is goofy, and funny, shy and utterly brilliant in this film. I really wish I could articulate my words better, but to be brief...GO SEE THIS FILM. It's amazing!
Rating:
Summary: Art Mimics Life
Review: A sultry concoction: an unusual coming of age, an opening of worlds, subtle exchanges of power, and masterly performances by the main cast. While the squeamish or closed-minded might shy away from a film of this nature, this slightly risque flick fluxes with such beauty and personal turmoil that I gladly recommend it to anyone even remotely curious about the lifestyle it brings into the limelight. This is a tender examination of a budding Dom/Sub relationship, but one does not have to be a participant in such activities to appreciate this film. Absolutely phenomenal!
Rating:
Summary: As Close to Reality as it Gets!
Review: As a woman who actually practices the fine art of D/s in my everyday life, I want to applaud the makers of this wonderfully warm film!! I have seen way too many movies that deal with the emotional aspects of submission as being ones that are entirely negative. This film hit the nail on the head when it showed that submissive women find strength in their surrender.
It also let the viewer see that Dominant men aren't monsters but just irregular regular guys trying to co-exist with their hidden desires to control their partners in ways that are beneficial to both. I'm no pro at writing so I hope I'm saying this well.....but simply, if you want to gain some understanding of people who choose this alternative lifestyle and how it changes them for the better, see this movie!!!
Rating:
Summary: edge of my seat
Review: This movie is stunningly beautiful. The BDSM manages to be the one element in its world that is *not* obscene. And, yes, the lawyer and his secretary are both broken people, but they are healthier together. This film is simultaneously deeply surreal and true to life--the central characters are real enough to argue about afterwards, and it's moving, funny, and hot hot hot.
Rating:
Summary: Academy Caliber Acting, Kwirky Endearing Storytelling.
Review: Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader absolutely deserve nominations for best acting. From the very first scene, neither ever drops the internal torment, fighting with their respective 'forbidden' compulsions to have a chance at happiness and fulfilment with another. Not a film for everyone, but if you can accept that desires different than yours can be very real for another, Secretary is a must see.
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