Secretary
Assume the position
Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) has a few strikes against her when she applies for a secretarial position at the law office of E. Edward Grey (James Spader). At first the work seems quite normal but soon, in between typing, filing and coffee making, Lee and Mr. Grey embark on a more personal relationship together, crossing the lines of conduct that would give any human resource director the vapors!
Member Reviews
Offers Potential But Comes Up Empty - c4th
I am not a fan of the genre but occasionally venture into the realm of black comedy in hopes of finding a rare gem I may like. I knew enough going into this movie to prepare for the fact that I may find the subject matter too edgy and dark to be accepting of its embedded elements of humour. This however was not my source of disappointment. In fact, I found the concept very promising. It offered potential to take an insightful look into S and M from a quirky humorous point of view.
Instead I was disappointed in a plot that never got beyond the basic premise. A romance that runs over a hundred and ten minutes requires a story that will take its characters through some emotional ups and downs and this story came up empty. Some may argue that the isolation felt by the characters was an essential component and a busier plot may have destroyed that. I quite frankly was bored by an uneventful journey with no emotional highs or lows.
Some fine acting by James Spader as a boss cautiously venturing into a world of dominance and Maggie Gyllenhaal as his submissive secretary certainly brought some quality to the film. Their deliveries create some dark and quirky humorous moments against the backdrop of a moody atmosphere that many fans of the black comedy genre will relish.A Tasteful Take on Something Taboo - LunaBean
What a brilliant film! I was expecting some cinematic value, as James Spader is a master of the creepy anti-hero role, and was not disappointed, as this film surpassed my expectations! Spader conveys an intensity and believability that is so captivating in this film, that we cannot help but root for him, which seems to be the general case, however deviant or taboo the role he's playing is (i.e. Sex, Lies & Videotape, Crash, even Pretty In Pink!)
Maggie Gyllenhaal is equally spectacular. We follow her through her metamorphosis from a depressive, socially deficient shell of a girl to a beautiful, confident, sensual woman. Her vulnerability and struggles are so heartfelt as she learns what wellness and love means to her.
This film has a stellar supporting cast, great cinematography/direction, and the right balance of humour, wit and awkwardness to cleverly de-emphasize what some might condemn as weird, unhealthy fetishism. Really, it's a romantic comedy - just a whole lot racier than average!Unexpectedly good - SandJ
Somewhere between a coming-of-age story and a romance, this is a great movie worth seeing again. It deals with relationship, mental health, family and sexual issues, and will probably make you uncomfortable at times. But it is intelligent, entertaining, and has great characters. I really enjoyed the progression of the story through the film, and it's nice to see an intelligent romance that's not cheesy and formulaic. Highly recommended!
Member Reviews
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Offers Potential But Comes Up Empty - c4th
I am not a fan of the genre but occasionally venture into the realm of black comedy in hopes of finding a rare gem I may like. I knew enough going into this movie to prepare for the fact that I may find the subject matter too edgy and dark to be accepting ...A Tasteful Take on Something Taboo - LunaBean
What a brilliant film! I was expecting some cinematic value, as James Spader is a master of the creepy anti-hero role, and was not disappointed, as this film surpassed my expectations! Spader conveys an intensity and believability that is so captivating in ...Unexpectedly good - SandJ
Somewhere between a coming-of-age story and a romance, this is a great movie worth seeing again. It deals with relationship, mental health, family and sexual issues, and will probably make you uncomfortable at times. But it is intelligent, entertaining, ...