Secretary
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DVD details
Actor: Amy Locane, James Spader, Lily Knight, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Michael MantellBrand: Lions Gate
Adapter: Erin Cressida Wilson
Adapter: Steven Shainberg
Composer: Angelo Badalamenti
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language); Spanish (Dubbed)
Format: Color, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 104 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2008-07-15
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Lions Gate
DVD Reviews of Secretary
DVD Review: An S & M Love Story
Summary: 4 Stars
When 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 Secretary
Lee 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). At first the work seems quite normal but soon, in between typing, filing and coffee making, Lee and Mr. Grey embark on a more personal relationship together, crossing the lines of conduct that would give any human resource director the vapors!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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