Rating: R
Movie Release Date: September 20, 2002
DVD Release Date: April 1, 2003
Plot 411: A secretary and her boss share an unusual and unconventional relationship that surpasses the employer-employee boundaries.
Review: Maggie Gyllenhaal is probably one of the greatest actresses of this generation because of the types of roles she's willing to take a chance on. Who the hell would've thought someone who was cast in The Dark Knight would also play a girl in a BDSM relationship in Secretary? Gyllenhaal's character Lee is a girl with some social and emotional issues. She is young, pretty and very shy. Her mannerisms are cautious and hesitant. To her new boss Mr. Grey (James Spader), these are the things that are most attractive about her. He attempts to fight off his attraction by releasing it through angry outbursts and verbal abuse. However, when this is only met by Lee's submissive reactions and her need to please him, he is done for. The movie discusses a BDSM relationship openly, which may be shocking to some. However, it portrays the lifestyle with respect and even a bit of humor. Rather than jumping on a moral high horse spouting the benefits of diversity and the sexual revolution, the movie quietly tells its tale and allows the audience to decide for itself. On the surface, it may seem to some that Lee demeans herself by acquiescing to Mr. Grey's outrageous behavior (work related and not). His utter domination of her will be overwhelming, especially to feminists. But when you look deeper, you find that they share a symbiotic relationship and that it really isn't that out of balance. Both have needs that are being met by the other, which is a thoroughly traditional effect of romantic involvements. The movie is an unconventional love story about two socially awkward people who find one another in the vast sea of conformity.
Movie Release Date: September 20, 2002
DVD Release Date: April 1, 2003
Plot 411: A secretary and her boss share an unusual and unconventional relationship that surpasses the employer-employee boundaries.
Review: Maggie Gyllenhaal is probably one of the greatest actresses of this generation because of the types of roles she's willing to take a chance on. Who the hell would've thought someone who was cast in The Dark Knight would also play a girl in a BDSM relationship in Secretary? Gyllenhaal's character Lee is a girl with some social and emotional issues. She is young, pretty and very shy. Her mannerisms are cautious and hesitant. To her new boss Mr. Grey (James Spader), these are the things that are most attractive about her. He attempts to fight off his attraction by releasing it through angry outbursts and verbal abuse. However, when this is only met by Lee's submissive reactions and her need to please him, he is done for. The movie discusses a BDSM relationship openly, which may be shocking to some. However, it portrays the lifestyle with respect and even a bit of humor. Rather than jumping on a moral high horse spouting the benefits of diversity and the sexual revolution, the movie quietly tells its tale and allows the audience to decide for itself. On the surface, it may seem to some that Lee demeans herself by acquiescing to Mr. Grey's outrageous behavior (work related and not). His utter domination of her will be overwhelming, especially to feminists. But when you look deeper, you find that they share a symbiotic relationship and that it really isn't that out of balance. Both have needs that are being met by the other, which is a thoroughly traditional effect of romantic involvements. The movie is an unconventional love story about two socially awkward people who find one another in the vast sea of conformity.
Watch It: With a wide-open mind to fully get at its meaning.
Skip It: If you're fiercely traditional.
Skip It: If you're fiercely traditional.
2 comments:
Absolutely love this film! Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader are beyond perfect in their roles of Lee Halloway and E. Edward Grey. Too bad the theme of the movie was such that traditional Hollywood ignored them when it came Oscar time.
Agreed. This is definitely a unique movie that pushes people's buttons. It's daring to put ideas out there that are normally not addressed in the mainstream.
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