Review of Secretary (2002) by Jan333 — 13 Dec 2019
I have run into this movie several times while channel surfing, but had never watched it all the way through. Tonight, however, I saw the entire film.
This movie will leave you with more questions than answers. It is disturbingly erotic. I say “disturbingly”, because both of these characters have severe mental health issues, and the last thing you want for them is to be in any kind of a romantic relationship. You want to see them both get to mental health facilities ASAP. Nevertheless, (or perhaps because of this), the viewer’s primal sexual urges will definitely be awakened while watching this film.
Lee is a naive, troubled young lady who has just been released from a mental institution for self-mutilation. Her feelings of vulnerability and abysmally low self-esteem are palpable as she tries to cope with her newly found freedom back home with her family.
When she answers a help wanted ad, it seems to be Destiny stepping in to play a cruel and deviant trick on her, giving her even more of the same punishment she had already inflicted on herself. As we watch her become dysfunctionally entangled with her boss, Mr. Grey, the viewer’s only wish is for her to run away as fast as she can and never look back. Oh, if only she had done just that. As I watched her bizarre odyssey unfold, (at one point hating this man for hurting her, while at the same time feeling pity for him), I was dumbstruck while witnessing the sick commonality they shared, that of a deeply depraved mutual attraction. Lee seems to thrive on the physical and verbal abuse she is receiving from her boss. This is extremely disconcerting, to say the least.
I felt somewhat conflicted at the movie’s conclusion, however. Maybe for them, this is not dysfunctional at all and can work, or at the very least, be as good as it could ever get for each of their twisted psyches.
In any event, this film will leave you questioning and re-thinking society’s moral codes and values, as well as your own.
It is a thoroughly creepy, unsettling ride.
This review of Secretary (2002) was written by Jan333 on 13 Dec 2019.
Secretary has generally received positive reviews.
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