Secretary (2002)

Excellent movie one of my favorite of all the time. very sensual and seductive, high rewatch value, and very entertaining. a more titillating view into a non-traditional office romance.

From a guy perspective, this hanky spanky romantic movie was a little too odd for me, to really like. It's not really my cup of tea. However, it's not bad enough, to dislike, as well. Also, it's not as bad as 2015's 'Fifty Shades of Grey' which I found to be, a huge rip off of this film. Directed by Steven Shainberg & based on a short story from 'Bad Behavior' by author Mary Gaitskill. The film written by Erin Cressida Wilson explores the sexual relationship between a sexually dominant boss, E. Edward Grey (James Spader) and his awkward submissive secretary, Lee Holloway, (Maggie Gyllenhaal) originally named Debby Roe in the novel. Without spoiling the movie, too much, the movie does significantly expanded from the original short story, with many changes; giving greater depth in order to be made into a feature length film. Lines of dialogue were changed to lighten the mood, and additionally, the ending of the story was changed to give a more positive outcome to the relationship for the better. Shainberg stated that he only wished to show that BDSM relationships can be normal. Sadly, I don't think, most audiences see that, due to the close minded blind nature of what is deem normalcy in modern society and certain misrepresentation and lack of knowledge getting in the way. There is a huge gap of miscommunication, between the large amounts of viewers is seeing, with what the filmmakers is trying to say. While, at first glance, it looks like the movie is preaching that men should always be dominant & women should always submissive. In truth, the film is trying to say, the opposite. BDSM can be consensual. Yet, the movie rarely show that. The character of Lee is supposed to show that women in these relationship has a choice to give up her actual physical and mental power for love. Many people who have submissive desires, find themselves empowered when they are able to experience those desires with a caring partner. Furthermore, the character is acting as the strong emotional center, allowing her strength to dominate the dominant, while on the surface make it seem like the dominant has all the control. In truth, Edward is more submissive than Lee is. It's more common in relationships, than people think. It's called power exchange. I guess, the movie is trying to say, for the first time in her life, Lee has control of what she wants out of her life. Yet, it wasn't well presented in this film, with her being a doormat, most of the film. The movie, only explore her choice, in a few small scenes toward the middle. While, the subject matter, might somewhat offend some people, there's no shame in having a dominant/submissive relationship as long as nobody is getting hurt by it, and both are consensual. There is no need to police, what individuals like to do in the bedroom, but I really couldn't get behind this film, as a whole, because the film doesn't really show Lee and Grey share anything other than their fetishes. A longing to really understand each other, besides the fetishes, would really made this film, less creepy and disturbing. It's really needed more character development. The development of the relationship between the main characters is marked by the length and quality of the silence between them. It was somewhat boring. Still, I kinda like the actors that they got for this film. I just wish, the acting in the film was a little better. They were kinda mediocre, at best with their dry and annoying delivering. I just glad, that their sex scenes, together were a little tasteful, than graphic. The front end nudity in this film isn't that bad, as people make it out to be, when you finally see it. Yet, the masturbating scene can be a bit funny looking. Watching James Spader jacking off, seem odd to me. Despite that, both James Spader & Maggie Gyllenhaal's characters really does seem, like they're people that would sexual aroused by these vincilagnia actions. While, it can be argue that this film can help cure some psychological problems. Still, it's not appropriate for people to think that sexual harassment at the work place is OK, because of this movie. In my opinion, I would rather have the original ending, with the protagonist quitting, feeling disgusted, and then being called by a reporter digging for dirt after the lawyer announced he was running for mayor than the happy ending. Why? Because that, is the more realistic ending. The ending, we got, is just too much of escapism fantasy. It's an unusual choice in direction. I don't like, how they change the lyrics of the song 'Chariots Rise" by Lizzie West to fit the mood. Very lackluster and unsatisfying. Overall: This romantic black comedy is meh at best. I really can't complain too much about it. At least, it's better than 'Fifty Shades of Grey'! So, spank you very much, for that. I guess.

Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) leaves institutionalization to attend her sister's wedding. She has been harming herself since the seventh grade. Her father is an abusive drunk to her co-dependent mother. She reconnects with Peter (Jeremy Davies) who had a mental breakdown of his own. She gets a job as a secretary to attorney E. Edward Grey (James Spader). She finds comfort in the menial and sometimes demeaning tasks. Eventually, they develop a special relationship.These are interesting characters. The movie keeps a sense of sexiness while maintaining a low level of tension. It would have been great to have a higher level of tension. Maggie Gyllenhaal is amazing. It just doesn't have a great sense of danger. It's not titillating. It's a nice character study but I'm looking for something more.

I'm giving this flick a 10 for a special reason. It achieves what very, very few films achieve: It successfully portrays a human-dimensioned, warm, believable, miraculous redemption. It didn't make me cry or shake me to my core. It simply gave me a tender, life-affirming hope: People can change.It's so funny to be reviewing this after the narratively anemic 'The Intern'. My comment to that flick was the diametric opposite to this one, and it comes down to this: You can't have redemption without real issues.All that, and it's actually wonderful from many other standpoints, from top (mythos/redemption) to bottom (sets/cinematography).It's truly an art flick, and a wonder to behold. Behold it!