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Secretary
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DVD detailsActor: James Spader, Jeremy Davies, Kyle Colerider-Krugh, Lauren Cohn, Maggie Gyllenhaal Brand: SECRETARY (DVD MOVIE) Primary Contributor: Spader, James DVD: Region Code 1 Audio: English (Original Language); English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled) Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DVD-Video, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen Running Time: 104 minutes DVD Release Date: 2003-04-01 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Studio: Lionsgate
DVD Reviews of SecretaryDVD Review: Great performances of an Atypical love story Summary: 4 StarsIf you enjoyed Sex, Lies & Videotape and the like, give Secretary a go. Even love finds a way with these two, messed up souls portrayed by Gyllenhaal and Spader. The subtleties of the performances are what get to me and under my skin, in a good way! The bond in which this unlikely pair forms is endearing and inspiring. The S&M angle, to me, is a lighthearted one, not necessarily to be taken seriously as it is more of a tool used to connect these two fragile souls. An honest reflection of overcoming one's demons.
DVD Review: a tasteful blend of desire and love Summary: 5 StarsThe amazing thing about this movie is that it blends the human desire for sexual passion with our ultimate desire to find a soul mate on this earth who can embrace our deepest selves even at our dirtiest core--and more importantly bring validity to it. Mr. Grey has a problem with sexual dominance that causes him to run through secretaries very quickly while Lee, who comes to work for him is a confused young woman with an affinity for self-induced pain.
Eventually the two learn of each other's socially unacceptable quirks and come to satisfy each other's needs, which were prior to unfulfilling and incomplete. The S&M between both Lee and Mr. Grey is by no means centered on pornography, which would separate sexual desire from intimacy and is used simply for the means of erotic pleasure but rather an intimate and unique bond that corny as it sounds completes both Lee and Mr. Grey. This is why Lee must tell Mr. Grey that she loves him and wants to make love to him--her feelings for him are not just erotic but centered on a deep and complex bond that can only be founded in love.
The ending is one for the hopeless romantic where the heroine, Lee has saved Mr. Grey with her relentless loyalty and complete devotion bringing him back to life and melting his once removed and icy heart as he romantically carries her upstairs to a private love making lair.
This is definitely a unique movie that you'll never forget and will probably have a strange love affair with. Both men and women can find something in this movie but as you've probably guessed is for the older crowd.
DVD Review: Brilliant! Summary: 5 StarsIf you have never seen this movie you are missing a classic. What an amazing story and it is acted out perfectly. Ever wondered how far that co-worker would go? Check this out, you will laugh and your senses (and other things possibly) will be aroused.
Enjoy.
DVD Review: one of the weirdest movies i've ever seen and yet hot.... Summary: 5 Starsthis is why maggie gyllenhaal is hot. she has made a name for herself by playing quirky, unconventional characters and "secretary" is her calling card...maggie plays lee, a woman who has self-multilation issues; who soon after being released from a institution, gets a job working as a secretary for edward ( james spader ) though, lee has no experience, edward gives her a shot and thoroughout the movie, we learn their dependence on each other is more than professional...
i was into this film from first frame to last....james spader made a career out of playing bad guys and antiheros and his lawyer character is one you hate, but still feel sorry for...edward spanks lee for typographical errors, then lee makes errors on purpose, just so she can be punished...although lee has a boyfriend, she falls for her boss. love is a weird thing....if you love s and m, you will howl at some of the things edward does to lee in this movie...plus maggie gyllenhaal is just a babe... rent this no matter what...
DVD Review: An S & M Love Story Summary: 4 StarsWhen I think of erotic movies, I usually remember overstylized and heavy handed music video versions of movies that have little-to-no-understanding of how each particular lifestyle works. The characters never feel like real people and their "exploration" into the kinky side of their sex lives comes across fake poses and clueless renderings--usually with bright lights and really loud music. Since it's Hollywood, there has to be moment of "self-discovery" and/or "hitting bottom" before true, normal love prevails. And they lived happily ever after.
I remember reading about Stanley Kubrick's research for his orgy scenes in his final film, EYES WIDE SHUT. After studying Roman orgies and such, he wasn't sure how to write the scenes where Tom Cruise infiltrates a high society orgy. How does such things really work? The only thing that made that scene work were the masks. The quasi-religious ritual of pairing up partners...not so much.
But then along comes SECRETARY. And it works because it doesn't focus on the wild and kinky side of sex, but because it allows the kinks to come out of Real Characters. Maybe that's why there are so few successful films about this (or any other) alternative lifestyle: the filmmakers are too fascinated by the acts than by the characters acting them out.
In the extras, the director said he wanted to make a film about a successful S & M relationship the way that the earlier film MY BEAUTIFUL LAUNDERETTE did for a gay relationship. Mission accomplished.
The only reason I'm not giving this film 5 stars is that I couldn't track James Spader's character development as easily as I could Maggie Gyllenhaal's. She is a genuine character who fully communicates everything visually and verbally and I was able to follow her. Great actress, great part. Spader was a little less defined. As Maggie's character accepts and achieves her identity, I was wondering if Spader was as sure of his own sexual identity as the movie played out.
Knowing people in this particular lifestyle, I have to try and ascertain from where this particular bent comes from--and how it expresses itself. Yes, it's different, but I know people who love this style of relationship and see it as another avenue of pleasure, not some sick, twisted acting out of dark, crazy mental/emotional ailment. There's nothing wrong with them, they just enjoy this. I find that interesting. And SECRETARY tells their story.
Description of SecretaryLee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) has a few strikes against her when she applies for a secretarial position at the law office of E. Edward Grey (James Spader). Although she's never had a job in her life Lee is hired by the mysterious lawyer Mr. Grey. At first the work seems quite normal but soon in between typing filing and making coffee Lee and Mr. Grey embark on a more personal relationship crossing lines of conduct that would give any human resource director the vapors!System Requirements:Starring: James Spader Maggie Gyllenhaal Jeremy Davies and Leslie Ann Warren. Directed By: Steven Shainberg. Running Time: 111 Min. Color. ? MMII Secretary Productions LLCFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre:?DRAMA Rating:?R UPC:?658149811324 Manufacturer No:?71883 This kinky love story features a standout performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal, an offbeat young actress in her first starring role. Gyllenhaal plays Lee, a nervous girl who compulsively cuts herself, who gets a job as a secretary for Edward, an imperious lawyer (James Spader, an old hand at tales of perverse affection). Edward's reprimands for typos and spelling errors begin with mild humiliation, but as Lee responds to his orders--which are driven as much by his own anxieties and fears as any sense of order--the punishments escalate to spankings, shackles, and more. Secretary walks a fine line. It finds sly humor in these sadomasochistic doings without turning them into a gag, and it takes Lee and Edward's mutual desires seriously without getting self-righteous or pompous. Certainly not a movie for everyone, but some people may be unexpectedly stirred up by this smart and steamy tale of repressed passion. --Bret Fetzer
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