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Secretary (2002) 7.0
Ratings:
7.0/10 from 48,020 users
Metascore: 63/100
Reviews: 373 user | 155 critic | 39 from Metacritic.com A young woman, recently released from a mental hospital, gets a job as a secretary to a demanding lawyer, where their employer-employee relationship turns into a sexual, sadomasochistic one. Director:Steven Shainberg |
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Cast
| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| James Spader | ... | ||
| Maggie Gyllenhaal | ... | ||
| Jeremy Davies | ... | ||
| Lesley Ann Warren | ... | ||
| Stephen McHattie | ... | ||
| Patrick Bauchau | ... | ||
| Jessica Tuck | ... | ||
| Oz Perkins | ... | ||
| Amy Locane | ... |
Lee's Sister
|
|
| Mary Joy | ... | ||
| Michael Mantell | ... | ||
 |
Lily Knight | ... |
Paralegal
|
| Sabrina Grdevich | ... | ||
|
|
Lacey Kohl | ... | |
| Julene Renee-Preciado | ... |
Jessica
(as Julene Renee)
|
|
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Plot Synopsis
Storyline
Lee Holloway is a smart, quirky woman in her twenties who returns to her hometown in Florida after a brief stay in a mental hospital. In search of relief from herself and her oppressive childhood environment, she starts to date a nerdy friend from high school and takes a job as a secretary in a local law firm, soon developing an obsessive crush on her older boss, Mr. Grey. Through their increasingly bizarre relationship, Lee follows her deepest longings to the heights of masochism and finally to a place of self-affirmation. Written by Sujit R. Varma
Taglines:
The story of a demanding boss and the woman who loves his demands. See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for strong sexuality, some nudity, depiction of behavioral disorders, and language | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
View content advisory »
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See more »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
14 November 2002 (Israel) See more »Also Known As:
La secretaria See more »Box Office
Budget:
$4,000,000 (estimated)Opening Weekend:
$135,931 (Australia) (30 May 2003)Gross:
£829,624 (UK) (13 June 2003)Company Credits
Show detailed
company contact information
on
IMDbPro »
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Sound Mix:
Dolby DigitalColor:
ColorAspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1
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Performed by Combustible Edison
Written by Michael Cudahy (as Michael F. Cudahy)
Courtesy of Elektra Records
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
The producers got a permit for the wrong park when Lee walks home. The producer on set had to distract the local law enforcement that showed up while the scenes were filmed. See more »Goofs
When Lee goes to Mr. Grey's office to apply for a job, rain falls only in the foreground. Closer observation shows that the background location is reasonably dry and not being rained on. See more »Soundtracks
"Vertigogo"Performed by Combustible Edison
Written by Michael Cudahy (as Michael F. Cudahy)
Courtesy of Elektra Records
See more »
Secretary is the first of its kind - a very dark love story. First of its kind in that it deals with themes never seen before seen in mainstream Hollywood cinema - S&M, sexual dominance and submission.
Maggie Gyllenhaal is outstanding in a potential minefield of a role - she handles it with dignity and even provides some effective dark humour.
The story here is that her character, Lee, applies for a job as a secretary for the firm owned by James Spader's brilliant Mr Grey. However, Lee has a history of self-harm and masochism and Grey has a dominance complex along with a very sadistic streak. Combine these 2 in theory and you have 2 very happy people. But this is no ordinary love story...
Spader, as stated, is brilliant. He brings an icy steel to the troubled Grey, but also provides a touch of black humour which comes at some great moments to 'release the tension'.
For the themes supplied here you'd probably expect a lot of raunchiness - well there are sexual moments, of course, but there is nothing gratuitous, which is in itself an achievement and well handled.
Overall it's quirky, off-beat, and a little bit different.
Worth a view.