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Secretary

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Secretary (2002)

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Reviews Counted:138

Fresh:102

Rotten:36

Average Rating:6.7/10

Consensus: Maggie Gyllenhaal impresses in this romantic comedy with a kinky twist.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for strong sexuality, some nudity, depiction of behavorial disorders, and language

Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Sep 20, 2002 Limited

Box Office: $3,806,471

Synopsis: With sheer originality and bold,unflinching humor, Secretary embraces a most unconventional relationship and lays open the notion that love doesn't always occur in the traditional fashion. Lee... With sheer originality and bold,unflinching humor, Secretary embraces a most unconventional relationship and lays open the notion that love doesn't always occur in the traditional fashion. 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). For starters, she was released only recently from a mental institution. However, she gets the job anyway and soon learns that Mr. Grey is not your average boss. Eventually, they begin a relationship, crossing lines of conduct that would give most human resource directors the shivers. Director Steven Shainberg performs a remarkable feat by taking what could be construed as weighty material and infusing it with sensuality and, even more surprisingly, humor. Based on a critically acclaimed short story "Secretary," by Mary Gaitskill, the exquisitely honed character development of Secretary lures us to the darker side of human sexuality, all the while warming us up to the idea that people are getting--and giving--what they want. While it toys with society's expectations of love, Secretary also explores the delicate balance between pain and healing, control and surrender. It could never be labeled old-fashioned but, when all is said and done, Secretary is, at its core and undeniably, a love story. -- © 2002 Lions Gate Entertainment [More]

Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Spader, Jeremy Davies, Lesley Ann Warren

Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Spader, Jeremy Davies, Lesley Ann Warren

Director: Steven Shainberg

Director: Steven Shainberg
Screenwriter: Steven Shainberg, Erin Cressida Wilson
Producer: Andrew Fierberg, Amy Hobby, Steven Shainberg
Composer: Angelo Badalementi
Studio: Lions Gate Films

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Release:

Apr 1, 2003

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Reviews for Secretary

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed
N/R

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Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
04/07/09
Todd McCarthy
Todd McCarthy
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
10/18/08
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Newsweek | comment Comment
11/01/07
David Ansen
David Ansen
Newsweek
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Big Picture Big Sound | comment Comment
07/14/07
Joe Lozito
Joe Lozito
Big Picture Big Sound

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/30/06
Empire Magazine
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This S&M satire teeters on the verge of sleaze and exploitation but never descends into those domains due to Maggie Gyllenhaal's exquisite performance in a tricky sexual-psychological role.

Full Review Source: EmanuelLevy.Com | comment Comment
12/03/06
Emanuel Levy
Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Derek Adams
Derek Adams
Time Out

A twisted and very funny rethinking of the romantic comedy genre. Great performances by Spader and Gyllenhaal.

Full Review Source: Cinemania | comment Comment
04/22/06
Dan Jardine
Dan Jardine
Cinemania

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A comedy? A wake up call? I'm not sure.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
10/25/05
Ross Anthony
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card

Perhaps there is something bold about saying pain can bring healing as long as it’s applied by the right hand, but that seems obvious and normal thanks to... Gyllenhaal.

Full Review Source: Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews | comment Comment
06/25/05
Moriarty
Moriarty
Ain't It Cool Movie Reviews

A great feature film with enough laughs, weirdness, fine performances and filmmaking flair to earn it a place on most critics' top ten of the year lists.

Full Review Source: eFilmCritic.com | comment Comment
03/08/04
Oz
Oz
eFilmCritic.com

A grande proeza do filme é mostrar que, para os personagens de Gyllenhaal e Spader, seus desvios de personalidade não são defeitos, mas um caminho diferente para a felicidade.

comment Comment
03/01/04
Pablo Villaca
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena
N/R

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Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
12/15/03
Alexander Walker
Alexander Walker
This is London

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Full Review Source: Movie Gazette | comment Comment
10/28/03
Anton Bitel
Anton Bitel
Movie Gazette
N/R

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Full Review Source: Premiere Magazine | comment Comment
09/17/03
Glenn Kenny
Glenn Kenny
Premiere Magazine

It has an integrity to the kinkiness of its theme that doesn't shake loose but you'll get more out of it if you bring your analyst along with you.

Full Review Source: Cinema Signals | comment Comment
09/16/03
Jules Brenner
Jules Brenner
Cinema Signals
 
 
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Latest News for Secretary

July 17, 2008: Maggie Gyllenhaal Talks The Dark Knight Opens in new window
It's a far cry from indie fare like Secretary or Sherrybaby, but for Maggie Gyllenhaal, taking on the role of Rachel Dawes in The Dark Knight was just the logical next step in... More...

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