Secretary (2002)

Director:

Steven Shainberg

Writers:

Erin Cressida Wilson (screenplay)
Mary Gaitskill (short story)

Release Date:

14 November 2002 (Israel)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

Assume the position.

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Hospital | Secretary | Mental Hospital | Employer Employee Relationship | Masochism

Awards:

Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 14 wins & 17 nominations

Cast

James Spader	...	Mr. Grey
Maggie Gyllenhaal	...	Lee Holloway
Jeremy Davies	...	Peter
Lesley Ann Warren	...	Joan Holloway
Stephen McHattie	...	Burt Holloway
Patrick Bauchau	...	Dr. Twardon
Jessica Tuck	...	Tricia O'Connor
Oz Perkins	...	Jonathan
Amy Locane	...	Lee's Sister
Mary Joy	...	Sylvia
Michael Mantell	...	Stewart
Lily Knight	...	Paralegal
Sabrina Grdevich	...	Allison
Lacey Kohl	...	Louisa
Julene Renee	...	Jessica

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexuality, some nudity, depiction of behavioral disorders, and language.

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Ireland:18 | Finland:K-15 (self applied) (2006) (TV rating) | Finland:K-18 (self applied) (2006) (DVD) | Italy:T | Iceland:16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:MA | Brazil:16 | Canada:18A | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Japan:R-15 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:15 | Peru:18 | Philippines:R-13 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:R(A) | South Korea:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R (certificate #38664) | Canada:16+ (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

La Boca Restaurant - 5368 Wilshire, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Slough Pond

Trivia:

The song that plays over Mr. Gray and Lee at the end of the movie is "Chariots Rise" by Lizzie West. The original lyric is "What a fool am I, to fall so in love," but the director did not want to imply that Lee was being foolish, and asked if it could be altered. Because she wanted the song to be in the movie, Lizzie West re-recorded the line as "What grace have I, to fall so in love."

Goofs:

Factual errors: The car driven by Lee's mother shows a front license plate. Florida does not issue front license plates, only rear ones.

Quotes:

E. Edward Grey: [Mr. Grey is prescribing Lee's dinner] One scoop of creamed potatoes. A slice of butter. Four peas. And as much ice cream as you'd like to eat.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Film Geek (2005)

Soundtrack:

Blue Rumba

My new favorite James Spader movie!

I saw this movie twice & want to see it again... & again... & again. *LOL* I really enjoyed it. At first I thought that it might be too risque for my taste, but I was pleasently surprised. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of risque, but it was played out so well that it just blended. I was amazed when I realized that this movie wasn't ALL about Sub/Dom, but in fact it was a love story. I wasn't disappointed. I recommend seeing this film if you haven't already, & even if you have. =)

I am a very big fan of James Spader & he was so amazing in this film. He was beautiful, funny, complex, & sexy. I'll be his secretary any day.

I was also surprised by the fact that I liked Maggie Gyllenhaal. She is a very good actress & alot more attractive than in any of the pictures I have ever seen of her. Everyones acting is Superb, the directing superb, & the story *****!!!!!! My raves don't even do this movie justice. Just go see it!

-M