DVD Review: Secretary (B)

Secretary (2002)
Directed by Steven Shainberg
Starring Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Spader and Jeremy Davies
MPAA: R
Grade: B

Review by Scott Standish

Secretary has received a ton of attention for its unapologetic pro-SM stance, but at it's heart, its really just a love story. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at Sundance, this is a pretty quirky black comedy. Secretary is probably not for those with a prudish sensibility (I wouldn't watch it with my parents) but at the same time, I have seen movies that are way more over the top (Piano Teacher comes to mind). The comedy surrounding the establishment of the characters dominant-submissive relationship gives this film it's comedic juice. Maggie Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko, Cecil B. Demented) plays Lee Holloway, a girl recently released from a mental institution. She's been hospitalized for her obsession for self-mutilation but other than that, she seems fairly normal.

Upon her release, she takes a job as a secretary for Mr. Grey (James Spader), a demanding attorney with some obsessive issues of his own (what's up with the red markers?). Their work environment becomes a shell for their SM experiments and it all seems like harmless fun until the relationship spills outside of the workplace.

Can a SM relationship based in an office environment be the basis for true love? Lee seems convinced that it can. Spader's character is scared that it can't. He tells her: "Look, we can't do this 24 hours a day, seven days a week". Lee looks at him, smiles for a moment and then purrs "Why not?".

They work alone in their office. It's not really bothering anybody, so why not indeed? But does sexual obsession translate perfectly into love? This area of the film is not explored as fully as I would have liked, but I guess that's another movie (a sequel would actually be interesting here).

James Spader (Crash, Less Than Zero, Sex Lies and Videotape, just to name a few) is truly one of the underrated actors in Hollywood today. His characters always seem to have a detached confidence about them with a simmering evil side hidden just under the surface.

Gyllenhaal is obviously an emerging star and she's one to keep a close eye on. She has garnered numerous critical awards for her performance in Secretary. The role of Lee Holloway was definitely a tough one, and she pulled it off with style. You will be seeing a lot more of her in the coming year, she has three new films in the works.

A decent black comedy that doubles as a love story, Secretary is good clean fun. Or should I say good dirty fun? I guess it depends on your point of view.

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