Lee diligently tries to make herself more efficient and less bothersome. Use the HTML below. This psychological trauma movie may prompt discussion about the lingering effects of 9/11 on our country. Looking for some great streaming picks? Despite being chalk and cheese, however, the two characters blend together in a way that is both believable and interesting, and this makes for some great chemistry between the two leads that is hard not to enjoy. View production, box office, & company info. "Secretary" approaches the tricky subject of sadomasochism with a stealthy tread, avoiding the dangers of making it either too offensive, or too funny. Mr. Grey has such bad luck with secretaries that he has an illuminated help-wanted sign out front he can light up, like the "Vacancy" sign at a motel. There may be better actors than James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal, but for this material, I cannot think who they are. He demands perfection, she falls short of the mark, he punishes her, and this becomes a workable relationship. He thinks about her. An emotionally fragile woman recently released from a mental hospital for self mutilation goes to school to gain secretarial skills to gain employment. The two performances by Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader are fascinating to watch as they explore the inner and outer reaches of a sado-masochistic relationship. Huron Substation, 2640 Huron St, Los Angeles, California, USA, "unintentional" is misspelled "unitentional", unauthorized use of the film is warned as resulting in "civil liberty" instead of "civil liability". Then there's the problem of her weak voice on the telephone. That of course leads to affection, which can be tricky, but not for them, because both suspect there is no one else they're ever likely to meet who will understand them quite so completely. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism. This strangely compelling and brilliantly acted psychological drama is directed by Steven Shainberg. Spader's character is the complete opposite; despite being insecure, he comes across as being cold, calm and collected. In this romantic black comedy, Maggie Gyllenhaal stars as Lee Holloway, the lady worker of the title. Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. He orders her to stop and has other things in mind which he demonstrates one day when he asks her to bend over his desk and read a letter she's just revised while he forcefully spanks her. Because S/M involves postures that are absorbing for the participants but absurd to the onlooker, we tend to giggle at the wrong times. (2002). She is shattered and doesn't know where to turn or what to do until she comes up with a crazy scheme to prove the depth of her love for her former boss. The movie's humor comes through the close observation of behavior. R - strong sexuality, some nudity, depiction of behavorial disorders, language. The film isn't really about obscure sexual preferences, it's about finding someone whom you are comfortable with and the S&M is just a means to an end. Mr. Grey doesn't miss a thing that goes on, and most of his observations have to do with her. 81 of 124 people found this review helpful. Jeremy Davies plays Peter, the other key role, sincere to the point of being inarticulate, who for a time dates Lee. 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 … Directed by Steven Shainberg. "We can't go on like this 24 hours a day," Mr. Grey complains at one point. A sexually repressed woman's husband is having an affair with her sister. The director, Steven Shainberg, has succeeded by focusing intently on his characters, making them quirky individuals rather than figures of fun. This strangely compelling and brilliantly acted psychological drama is directed by Steven Shainberg. 15 wins & 25 nominations. The fact that they are chalk and cheese is a help and not a hindrance to the film as it serves in making it all the more interesting. Keep track of everything you watch; tell your friends. The arrival of a visitor with a rather unusual fetish changes everything. He keeps his emotions hidden inside and reveals very little about himself, unlike Maggie's character who is happy to wear her emotions on her sleeve and doesn't seem to mind what other people think. Here’s a list of psychological films that you can show to your students to better understand some psychological concepts. The sex aspect of the film does serve a purpose, however, in that it's that which makes the film a social satire of this culture of flirting in the office; a very over the top one, that is, and one that gives the film it's shock value; but to be honest, you don't really get to see that much bondage. The movie does not argue that S/M is good for you, but has a more complex dynamic. The lawyer and secretary have subtle little signals by which they step out of their roles and sort of wink, so they both know that they both know what they're doing. Their behavior, which is intended to signify hostility, eventually grows into a deeper recognition of each other's natures and needs. Something unspoken passes between them and they know they are thinking about the same thing. She has an alcoholic father and a co-dependent mother who are clueless as to who she really is which a tormented soul who really wants to find something with which she can find success. He hates her habit of twisting her hair, sniffling, and moving her tongue around the edges of her mouth when she's nervous. He's bothered by typos which he circles with a red marker. What they discover is that, in the long run, S/M is more fun (and less trouble) for the 'M' than for the 'S.' Back in suburbia for her sister's wedding, she immediately falls prey to old fears and self-disgust. Gyllenhaal's character is sweet, inexperienced and bashful. Erin Cressida Wilson has written a richly nuanced screenplay based on a story by Mary Gaitskill. Convinced that she'll go bonkers if she stays home all the time, Lee applies for a job as a secretary. A sex addict's carefully cultivated private life falls apart after his sister arrives for an indefinite stay. The movie, to begin with, is well cast. For them. Amidst the war climate, a teenage boy discovering himself becomes love-stricken by Malèna, a sensual woman living in a small, narrow-minded Italian town. The film actually isn't quite as naughty as many people think it thinks it is, but the truth is that the sadomasochistic area of the film isn't really all that important. His obsessive-compulsive behavior is driving him nuts, not to mention his clients. Title: Mr. Grey notices her. As you probably already know, this secretary doesn't just push pens and use paper clips, she has another, more exciting capacity as her boss's love object. A Beautiful Mind (2001) A Clockwork Orange (1971) A Monster Calls (2016) – Film review by Dr Berney Wilkinson and Dr Richard Marshall; A Serbian Film (2010) Rated R for strong sexuality, some nudity, depiction of behavioral disorders, and language, Curzon scores record premium VoD opening with Safy Nebbou’s ‘Who You Think I Am’, Hulu in February: Here’s Everything Coming and Going, ‘Gretel & Hansel’ Director Osgood Perkins Is as Fascinating as His Latest Horror Film. Disgruntled secretary Deidre turns to murder and blackmail after being turned down for promotion. An English professor falls for a minor , and has to face the consequences of his actions. She is a great secretary and finds a job with a unique, old fashioned, but off center in charge boss with a somewhat sadistic sexual proclivity. Spirituality & Practice. Mr. Grey (James Spader), a lawyer, is impressed that she won an award for being the best typist in her class. Recommended. The raging woman stomps on his raincoat and storms out ordering him to sign the separation papers. Here is a film where we giggle at the right times. An evening with Peter definitively proves that he will never be able to satisfy her, but pressure to marry him builds after Mr. Grey fires her. Copyright © 2006 - 2020 by CIStems, Inc., d.b.a. Written by 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. Her father Burt (Stephen McHattie) is a violent and abusive drunk, and her mother Joan (Lesley Ann Warren) remains an eccentric woman who doesn't know how to let go of Lee. "Secretary" approaches the tricky subject of sadomasochism with a stealthy tread, avoiding the dangers of making it either too offensive, or too funny. About Spader there always seems to be some unarticulated secret hovering, and Gyllenhaal avoids numerous opportunities to make her character seem pathetic, and makes her seem plucky instead--intent on establishing herself and making herself necessary. Although Mr. Grey is clearly turned on by this activity, Lee is the one who sees it as the answer to her dream of ever finding a soul-mate. Lust turns to love for a 40-ish working-class woman and a 20-ish yuppie adman with little in common. Lee doesn't see why not. A retired FBI agent with psychological gifts is assigned to help track down "The Tooth Fairy", a mysterious serial killer. You must be a registered user to use the IMDb rating plugin. That doesn't bother her, she says. A young man romantically pursues his masochistic piano teacher. She is a great secretary and finds a job with a unique, old fashioned, but off center in charge boss with a somewhat sadistic sexual proclivity. For Strong Sexuality, Some Nudity, Depiction Of Behavioral Disorders and Language, High Powered: Aaron Moorhead and Justin Benson on Synchronic, Highlights from Ebert Symposium on Future of Movie Industry, Ebert Symposium 2020: Part 2 Streaming Today, October 22nd, 2020, Everlasting Arms: The Sustained Power of The Night of the Hunter. It's entertaining for it's duration, there are several funny moments and the central message, which states that it's worth going to extremes for the one you love is a worthwhile one for any movie, even if it is someone lost under the premise of the movie. Lee is submissive. Primary Psychology Topics Explored: Post-traumatic stress disorder. Director: Brett Ratner | Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Edward Norton, Ralph Fiennes, Harvey Keitel. When he loses interest for a time and stops correcting her mistakes, she grows disconsolate; when he sharply calls her back into her office, she is delighted. With James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jeremy Davies, Lesley Ann Warren. The DVD features deleted scenes and interviews with director Steven Shainberg and stars Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader. The routine at the office appeals to Lee and she does very well with the simple tasks she's given. A successful businessman tries to uncover what is wrong with his wife. By absorbing so much of Mr. Grey's time and attention, Lee, who has abysmal self-esteem, feels that attention is being paid to her. Spader is dominant and obsessive (he has a fetish for lining up red markers in his desk drawer). Two vicious step-siblings of an elite Manhattan prep school make a wager: to deflower the new headmaster's daughter before the start of term. Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) has just been released from a mental institution. He devises new games for them. Votes: 248,949 | … The film is very original in it's portrayal of S&M however, as it's a very taboo subject and for it to be portrayed in a sweet and upbeat manner like this is welcome and very different.As mentioned, Maggie Gyllenhaal takes the title role and starring opposite her is James Spader as her boss. However, they lose and become captives of two eccentric rich men who decide to forcibly keep them on their remote gated ranch as indentured servants. Mr. Grey looks on jealously as they do their laundry together, and is faced with the possibility that he might lose his agreeable secretary. Gyllenhaal plays Lee Holloway, who has the illness of self-mutilation and comes from a neurotic family.