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Film:
  Secretary  
 
Studio:
     
 
Director:
  Steven Shainberg  
 
Stars:
  James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal  
 
Release Date:
  2003  
 
Reviewed by:
  The Priestess  
         
 
Rating:
   
         
 
Review:
 

I have a bit of an obsession with words. Did you know that the word secretary comes from the word secret? See, Medieval Latin emphasized the confidentiality of such a clerical position, something we sometimes lose sight of today. Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is an aspiring secretary with her own secrets. The DVD box will tell you that she’s got “a few strikes against her” in achieving her career goals. I suppose you could say that. After all, she was just released from a mental hospital and she has a terrible habit of cutting herself. But other than that, I’d say she’s more than qualified for the position... if the position is on her knees, that is.

Mr. E. Edward Grey, Esq. (James Spader) has his own share of problems. Poor guy can’t seem to keep a secretary. It could be that he insists his secretary use an old-fashioned typewriter. Or perhaps it’s because he is very critical of careless typos. Most likely, it has something to do with the verbal abuse and corporal punishment he doles out for those mistakes. The funny thing is, Ms. Holloway actually appreciates his brand of constructive criticism, and she enjoys a good spanking now and again ... so much so that her typing just keeps getting worse!

Maggie Gyllenhaal has received many accolades for her performance in this film and rightfully so. She’s an extremely talented actress, and her character is very accessible despite all of her quirks. I think women in particular, but not exclusively, will be able to relate to her and perhaps give themselves over to a guilty pleasure that feminism has long denied them: the luxury of being submissive. However, I think that James Spader has been somewhat overlooked. He was perfectly cast in the role of Mr. Grey, and he plays it so very well. I’ve always had a love-hate thing for Spader. He plays the smug asshole so convincingly, and I suppose that makes him a very good character actor, if not a bit overly typecast. I recall fondly how I detested his character in Less Than Zero. His character in this film has the same kind of chilly cruelty, but he also has a good bit of the steaminess and tenderness we saw in White Palace. Mr. Grey is beyond complicated, ever cool and composed, but just under the surface, about to boil over. Without uttering a word, Spader can speak volumes. His performance in this film is absolutely superb!

Believe it or not, Secretary is a (darkly) funny love story. In fact, despite its bondage and discipline theme -- and I deliberately make a distinction here from S&M because a lot of reviewers don’t understand the difference and I maintain the film doesn’t go that far -- it’s one of the best love stories I’ve seen in a long time. However, it’s not a chick flick the likes of which feature Jennifer Anniston or Gwynneth Paltrow. <yawn> It is not your typical boy-meets-girl love story. It’s more unconventional than Harold and Maude and more risqué than 9 ½ Weeks. The best part is that it’s very cerebral. Just as the best horror films aren’t necessarily the goriest ones, the most libidinous movies don’t have to be chock full of gratuitous nudity. In fact, I would assert that this film may be sexier to women than to men, because it’s less about getting it on than about titillation. It’s suspenseful in the way that relationships are sometimes suspenseful.

Some critics have said that the film is too slow at times, but I find that director Steven Shainberg employs hesitation and trepidation very artfully. Considering this is only his second feature film -- his first was Hit Me, 1998, with William H. Macy -- I think he’s done an outstanding job of taking on a very daring subject matter and presenting it fairly and in a dignified manner. In the final analysis, Secretary is a love story because two very damaged people fall in love and discover that their imperfections fit each other perfectly. It’s really a very beautiful and intelligent story. Perhaps that’s why it won at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. It’s definitely a must-see… if you think you can handle it.

 
         
 
Related Links:
  www.secretarythemovie.com  
         

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