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Secretary
2002 111 min United States of America R 18+
★7.1
Romance, Drama, Comedy
Director: Steven Shainberg
Trailers
Description
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.
Budget:
$4M
US Gross:
$4.06M
Worldwide:
$9.3M
Starring
James Spader
Actor
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Actor
Jeremy Davies
Actor
Awards
Sundance Film Festival 2002
— Special Jury Prize (Drama)
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2003
— Breakthrough of the Year
Sundance Film Festival 2002
— Grand Jury Prize (Drama)
Golden Globe 2003
— Best Actress (Comedy or Musical)
Key opinion
Secretary is widely praised for its unconventional take on romance, balancing dark humor with sensitive character development. While its provocative subject matter regarding BDSM and mental health is polarising, the central performances by Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader are almost universally lauded as the film's anchoring force.
| Acting | Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader anchor the film with nuanced performances that successfully navigate the complex psychological dynamic between their characters. | |
| Theme | The film succeeds in blending dark comedy with melodrama to explore themes of power, desire, and self-acceptance without resorting to vulgarity. | |
| Ending | The narrative avoids typical genre formulas, opting for a refreshing and distinct conclusion that emphasizes the characters' unique emotional needs. | |
| Theme | The film's exploration of BDSM and psychological instability is a polarizing element; some viewers find the unconventional path to self-discovery liberating, while others remain critical of the potentially harmful or shallow nature of the relationship depicted. | |
| Pacing | Modern audiences may find the pacing slow, as the film favors a contemplative, tension-building rhythm rather than a fast-moving narrative. |