Review of Secretary (2002) by David P — 05 Aug 2013

Directed by Steven Shainberg (Hit Me (1998) and Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus (2006)), this was adapted from a short story called Bad Behavior by Mary Gaitskill. On first viewing, it looks like a lurid, sadomasochistic film done to shock people, but it isn't, beneath the surface is a weird love story.

It has two brilliant lead performances, and it tackles this very tricky and controversial subject well, but it's definitely not a film for everyone. Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) has had bad luck in life, she had trouble when she was younger after a self harm incident, but she has since come over that, after taking a typing course, she finally gets a bit of luck in her life when she gets a job as a secretary with attorney E.

Edward Grey (James Spader). Despite her appearance and stitled social skills, she settles in OK. However, after a series of typing errors, Grey calls Lee into his office, and it turns out he's sexual aroused by her errors, and he wants to punish her for it, and Lee experiences a sexual awakening as a result, and this sadomasochistic relationship turns into something more passionate, which leaves Grey at a bit of a loose end.

It's clear that this would never be the stuff of mainstream cinema, but Shainberg manages to show this difficult subject in a serious, sympathetic light, and it's aided with Gyllenhaal and Spader both giving excellent performances, and it's for those who like 50 Shades of Grey.