A
sexy romantic comedy that avoids all the clichéd
pitfalls that are so prevalent in the genre and
delivers a touching and honest love story that
is, to this point, unique in the history of
cinema. Maggie Gyllenhaal delivers a magnificent
portrayal of Lee Holloway, a shy, sexually
repressed and inexperienced young girl who has
been institutionalized for her self-mutilating
tendencies. Upon her release from the treatment,
she embarks on finding herself a job as a
secretary. The hunt leads to E. Edward Grey's (Spader)
legal office and they slowly begin the most
bizarre, but strangely endearing, relationship I
think I've ever seen in a film. This is a
gorgeous and lovable romance with tons of laughs
sprinkled between some heartbreaking scenes. All
involved in this film deserve Oscar
consideration... this is one of the best movies
you'll see this year!!!
Maggie Gyllenhaal is a shining new star.
'Secretary' is as observant of it's characters
as any film in recent years. This great film
takes all the right turns in a maze that is very
tricky to navigate. This is a must see!
If you cross 'American Beauty' with 'Office
Space' and mix in a dash of sado-masochistic
romance... you have 'Secretary'
©
Written by TC Candler
Richard Propes' Comment
I loved this
film the first time I saw it in the theatre, and
even more the second time. I've now seen it on
DVD and fell in love with it once again. I
brought over a friend, herself a submissive, to
view the film and watched her laugh and cry
throughout the film. She proclaimed it right up
there with "Harold and Maude" in her world, a
high compliment for her! Maggie Gyllenhaal was
simply stunning from the opening moments leaving
the institution through the quietly loving end.
Always a James Spader fan, I thought he was
particularly powerful in this role with just the
right mix of tenderness, dominance and a
multi-layered vulnerability. I've upgraded this
from an A- to an A after the third viewing. This
is one of my favorites!
Jacob
Hall's Comment
N/A
