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Maggie Gyllenhaal impresses in this romantic comedy with a kinky twist.
All Critics (155) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (118) | Rotten (37) | DVD (14)
Spader handles a tricky role beautifully, but this is Gyllenhaals's tour de force. She is remarkable and original. Jan 2, 2018 | Full Review…
Spader handles a tricky role beautifully, but this is Gyllenhaals's tour de force. She is remarkable and original.
Barbara Ellen
A feel-good movie about sadomasochism, the seriocomic Secretary manages to be simultaneously subversive and sweet...In the wrong hands, the conceit could have turned ugly and offensive. But Spader and Gyllenhaal have a hushed, hilarious chemistry. Nov 1, 2007 | Full Review…
A feel-good movie about sadomasochism, the seriocomic Secretary manages to be simultaneously subversive and sweet...In the wrong hands, the conceit could have turned ugly and offensive. But Spader and Gyllenhaal have a hushed, hilarious chemistry.
David Ansen
What a surprise Secretary turns out to be. Freshly conceived, small-scale and daring. Dec 15, 2003 | Full Review…
What a surprise Secretary turns out to be. Freshly conceived, small-scale and daring.
Alexander Walker
The cast comes through even when the movie doesn't. Nov 4, 2002 | Rating: B-
The cast comes through even when the movie doesn't.
Eleanor Ringel Cater
Despite its flaws, Secretary stays in your head and makes you question your own firmly held positions. Oct 17, 2002 | Rating: 4/5
Despite its flaws, Secretary stays in your head and makes you question your own firmly held positions.
Jay Boyar
A picture with heart. You shouldn't leave feeling soiled or bruised. Just touched. Oct 11, 2002
A picture with heart. You shouldn't leave feeling soiled or bruised. Just touched.
Richard Leiby
... Secretary shows how one woman stopped at nothing to get her love. But I'm still scratching my head at the whole thing. Sep 11, 2017 | Rating: B | Full Review…
... Secretary shows how one woman stopped at nothing to get her love. But I'm still scratching my head at the whole thing.
Candice Frederick
[Secretary] manages the impossible trifecta of being simultaneously funny, sympathetic, and really, really hot. Aug 25, 2017 | Full Review…
[Secretary] manages the impossible trifecta of being simultaneously funny, sympathetic, and really, really hot.
Lindy West
This is a film that is in on the joke but doesn't make light of its subject matter. Aug 16, 2017 | Full Review…
This is a film that is in on the joke but doesn't make light of its subject matter.
Brooke Corso
Shainberg sets up a restless quality in both characters, and he takes them very seriously but it still comes as a bit of shock to see what is normally considered to be sexist behavior finally and ultimately embraced. Jun 12, 2015 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
Shainberg sets up a restless quality in both characters, and he takes them very seriously but it still comes as a bit of shock to see what is normally considered to be sexist behavior finally and ultimately embraced.
Eric Melin
Absolutely terrific, tight, and focused filmmaking. Mar 1, 2015 | Rating: 8/10 | Full Review…
Absolutely terrific, tight, and focused filmmaking.
Tim Brayton
"Secretary" recalibrates the capabilities of meaningful romantic comedy - a "Pygmalion" variation that's stealthily tender, witty but never broad and scintillatingly erotic to the point of palpitations. Gyllenhaal and Spader give career-best work. Sep 23, 2010 | Rating: 4/4 | Full Review…
"Secretary" recalibrates the capabilities of meaningful romantic comedy - a "Pygmalion" variation that's stealthily tender, witty but never broad and scintillatingly erotic to the point of palpitations. Gyllenhaal and Spader give career-best work.
Nick Rogers
"To thine own self be true," or so the saying goes but that's not always such an easy thing to do, society being society. Finding yourself, and then possibly finding love, is the gist here, capably realized by an able cast and in a memorable fashion.
Super Reviewer
What makes this film stand out as a truly adorable romance is the surprising way that it tackles the spicy kinkiness of its subject as a means for two people to find happiness, while it boasts a great score/soundtrack and Maggie Gyllenhaal shines in a lovely performance.
Based on a short story, written by Mary Gaitskill, "Secretary" tells the story of a mousy young woman who wants to change her life after a lifetime of cutting and self-hatred. Enter her boss (Spader) who is happy to help her change her ways by taking advantage of her sexually, culminating in a sadomasochistic relationship. The film is a test for the audience, to see if you believe it's a love story between two people who want a sub/dom relationship pertaining to a romantic interest that incorporates mutual respect and love, or a story about a man dominating a woman. The former would be a complex and often accepted story, since Gyllenhaal's character has to persuade her paramour that that is indeed what she wants, and that public attention doesn't limit her affection. It's rather sweet in places, but very dark in others, earnest in its depiction of these kinds of sexual fantasies and their participants. It's a bold endeavor for director Shainberg, one that pays off inevitably.
Quite a strange quirky film with a mix of drama and comedy. It won't be for everyone's taste but it does have some funny and weird moments in equal measure.
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