Review of Secretary (2002) by Quianna F — 29 Mar 2009

Much can be read into this simply from trailers and posters for it. Marketed, for some reason, as some erotic drama, this is a film that requires a very specific way to approach it, but it does reward that way with a surprisingly sweet and warm movie about relationships.

Maggie Gyllenhaal's 'Lee' is far from some kinky, man-eating minx. She's much more of a vulnerable, mentally-awkward woman, barely out of high school, and with a history of humiliating, unpleasant experiences. Her self harm is a very vivid, obvious release from the stresses and general disappointment in her life, which, to be honest, is simply one way of dealing with it. How many other films about depressed young people show them escaping through drugs, sex, drink, recklessness and rebellion? Lee's method of coping is the same, just less cool and predictable, which makes people look down on her as seriously mentally ill. Very quickly it's proved she isn't. She may be a little kooky, but she is certainly not afflicted with some suicidal undercurrent. Rather her self-harming is a result of her own lack of confidence to meet life's challenges, especially with relationships, and stems from a very low self-esteem. Her new job changes all of it.

Lee begins to feel more comfortable in her new environment, with David Spader's 'Mr Grey' showing her a twisted but clear warmth and generosity. Grey himself shares a similar problem with Lee in accepting his own preferences and feeling inadequate compared to how he thinks the world feels about him and how he should fit in like everyone else. Thus, the film becomes more about these two trying to reach each other, via their more off-beat sexual practises.

In truth, the BDSM elements of the film are sparingly used, made to enhance the detail of the character's preferences; they're not simply for masturbatory purposes. Both leads are very attractive and with an eye-brow-raising sexual chemistry, but the grounded reality of their love/hate relationship draws more attention to itself rather than the kinky practises.

The end provides a wonderfully cathartises, though, naturally, not so easy to swallow. If there is a blatant message, it should be to learn to have confidence in yourself to explore your own likes and dislikes and not to be afraid of being different - pretty generic stuff, but without the sickly-sweet sentimentality.

Gyllenhaal is brilliant, making a brilliant change within her character from frumpy girl to confidant young woman. And, yes, she is very hot. Spader is equally impressive, sort of having a knack for playing characters with an unusual sexual personality, his Mr Grey being a tough, tightly-wound and confused bundle of energy. What's interesting is that the dominant/submissive relationship is completely the opposite to what is obvious. Lee may be made to role-play and wear fetish get up, but it's her hunger for acceptance that controls and ultimately bewilders Grey, who himself is overwhelmed by the possibility he might find happiness himself. The hunger strike is less about Grey showing his power and more about Lee drawing him in, convincing him that he has made the right decision about falling in love with her. Subtle balances nuance this film's colourful texture.

And there's no forgetting just how much humour the movie contains. There are some inspired comic moments, masterfully exploiting the awkwardness of this bunch of misfits.

The film may trade on the cliche of a sexy secretary, and certainly gives a wealth of reasons and to why that cliche exists, but it gives her a much bigger brain that reckoned, and a strongly human face too.