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Secretary Reviews

2002

60
from 25,466 members

The masochist says to the sadist, "Hurt me." The sadist replies, "No." Everybody's happy. This strange balance plays heavily into the Steven Shainberg-directed SECRETARY, based on a short story by Mary Gaitskill. Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is a troubled young woman with a secret, destructive addiction fueled by her mother'.. Read more

Starring	James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jeremy Davies, Lesley Ann Warren
Director	Steven Shainberg
Genres	Comedy, Drama, Romance

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Critic's review of Secretary
View all critics' reviews (2)
- Shainberg's film establishes its pervy pride from the start, a slinky tracking shot showcasing Gyllenhaal's mastery of... read more on Time Out
- 46042
- - Time Out
  - 04 Nov 2008 at 00:16
Write your own review »
Most helpful member's review of Secretary
View all members' reviews (507)
- - 84
  - 41
  One for the masochists
  
  Or should that be one for the sadists, the bondage fans, the orange, ligature and fishnets brigade? Lee Holloway (played by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Donnie Darko'... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 296572
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - jonke
  - London
  - 18 Dec 2003 at 11:07
Most recent members' reviews of Secretary
View all members' reviews (507)
- - 0
  - 0
  A right corker of a film
  
  Brilliantly played. Very unusual, fascinating and compelling. Loved it. Something a 'littlebitdifferent', Maggie is just fantastic, the story is ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1086695
- - nenzibob
  - 2 reviews
  - 29 Jan 2012 at 17:09
- - 1
  - 0
  S&M in reality not porn
  
  Despite the attempts of the tabloid press to convince otherwise, this is not a pervy sexy film. This is a film about two people who happen to not fit the ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1076976
- - CrunchieSmith
  - 10 reviews
  - 30 Dec 2011 at 16:33
- - 1
  - 0
  Sensual, erotic, passionate, beautiful
  
  One of my favourite films. This film beautifully portrays two people that find a connection and a love, born from their own addictions and needs.
  
  ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1074957
- - roxblue8
  - 4 reviews
  - 20 Dec 2011 at 18:41
- - 0
  - 2
  The Report
  
  I only watched a bit of this film and think that it is a slow and uninteresting plot. It is also repetitive. It is dull, it made me feel uncomfortable watching... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1074278
- - a customer
  - 18 Dec 2011 at 00:39
- - 4
  - 0
  Amazingly beautiful
  
  Beautiful film that many people will not understand. It explores love that is not perceived as the 'norm'. An amazing film for people who don't ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1072152
- - a customer
  - 10 Dec 2011 at 18:06
- - 1
  - 6
  Pathetically awful.
  
  Maggie Gyllenhaal plays a pathetic character that I couldn't stand to watch it all. Also watching James Spader play such a pervy, domineering, pathetic ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1067811
- - a customer
  - 27 Nov 2011 at 18:22
- - 6
  - 0
  raw love
  
  In this film Maggie Gyllenhaal plays a rather demanding character, which she does with depth and humour. As Lee Holloway, she portrays a young woman with a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1045064
- - bizmandan
  - 52 reviews
  - 26 Sep 2011 at 14:16
- - 4
  - 0
  100 Percent Spader!
  
  For those that liked Sex Lies And Video Tape, here is another Spader rebirth at what he's best at. Pervy, masochistic, disturbing and dysfunctional. A ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 1044994
- - Tbird2011
  - 7 reviews
  - Bracknell
  - 26 Sep 2011 at 11:40
- - 2
  - 0
  A problem shared is a problem halved
  
  An unusual rom-com but genuinely quite touching. Both actors manage to portray multiple levels to their fetish. Definitely worth a watching.
  
  Report this review
- 1044514
- - a customer
  - 24 Sep 2011 at 23:08
- - 0
  - 0
  The Worm turned
  
  depth and honesty ', such taboo acted and written directed to the status of truth, ' true greatness enjoyed...excellence....Black but in the light..
  
  Report this review
- 1044234
- - a customer
  - 23 Sep 2011 at 23:00
View all members' reviews (507)

- - 84
  - 41
  One for the masochists
  
  Or should that be one for the sadists, the bondage fans, the orange, ligature and fishnets brigade? Lee Holloway (played by Maggie Gyllenhaal, Donnie Darko'... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 296572
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - jonke
  - London
  - 18 Dec 2003 at 11:07
- - 32
  - 5
  Rent it you might like it!
  
  This is the sort of film that surprises you as you expect it to be one for the dirty mac brigade as one of the themes is sado-masochism but it's actually a ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 295103
- - Shelbert
  - Middx
  - 14 Nov 2003 at 13:55
- - 24
  - 12
  Spankadelic
  
  Very unusual - another James Spader playing a weirdo film. Does anyone else think he looks like Christopher Walken? But I digress.
  
  Nice, darkly ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 16973
- - steviebobs
  - 27 reviews
  - London
  - 03 Sep 2004 at 16:29
- - 19
  - 1
  Kinky and quirkily fantastic!!!!
  
  Don't be put off by the cover which makes it look like some kind of American Pie style sex comedy. This is a sophisticated black comedy / romantic art film... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 8365
- - Anita Chaplin
  - London
  - 25 Jun 2004 at 09:44
- - 14
  - 3
  They should dub this in French
  
  Two people who suffer from deep self loathing suddenly find the opportunity to fall in love. They are so repressed that they can only express their passion by ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 297136
- - Ronin
  - Middx
  - 07 Jan 2004 at 08:21
- - 12
  - 0
  A true love story with an edge.
  
  Amazingly intense and gripping with deep emotion and depth. An absolute gem! The sexual element was not seedy or corny but intriging and exciting. A simple ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 985861
- - seren1
  - 1 review
  - 24 Apr 2011 at 23:01
- - 13
  - 6
  A fascinating exploration of love, power, control and abuse
  
  A sparkling little film exploring abuse, control, power and love in a wonderfully sensous way.
  
  From the acting right through to the soundtrack I find... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 58714
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - McClennan
  - 424 reviews
  - St Helens
  - 12 Dec 2004 at 13:47
- - 13
  - 6
  Peculiar pleasure
  
  The thought of a sado-masochistic relationship developing naturally between a maladjusted lawyer and his self-harming secretary does not sound the best premise ... read more »
  
  Report this review
- 296032
- - tommythetommster
  - Manchester
  - 02 Dec 2003 at 13:17
- - 10
  - 2
  Different, in a good way =]
  
  Very good film, very original, a must watch for most, sort of a rom com, but something everyone as well =]
  
  Report this review
- 1013040
- [Highly rated reviewer]
  - henrybond158
  - 4 reviews
  - Bognor Regis
  - 04 Jul 2011 at 20:35
- - 11
  - 6
  Cheeky Cheeky
  
  This is a wierd and wonderful movie thats a little ruined by the sentiment towards the end.
  
  Kinky as hell though !!!
  
  Report this review
- 1849
- - The Goose
  - Scunthorpe, England
  - 14 Feb 2004 at 00:10

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Buy from Amazon.co.uk

- - Buy
- Secretary
  
  The masochist says to the sadist, "Hurt me." The sadist replies, "No." Everybody's happy. This strange balance plays heavily into the Steven Shainberg-directed SECRETARY, based on a short story by Mary Gaitskill. Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is a troubled young woman with a secret, destructive ...