Review of Secretary (2002) by J K — 23 Apr 2010

When I did my preliminary research on this film (looking it up on Flixster LOL!) I got the distinct impression this had a bit of a dark tone, and for the most part, that is true. The storyline's journey into the depths of James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal's mental disorders, psyches and idiosyncracies is so brilliantly depicted you feel nothing but sadness for the hell the two character's lives are stuck inside.

And, at first, you feel a sense of foreboding that things just aren't goling to end well for either character (i.e. suicide, murder, decapitation in a bloody mess). Both actors really hit it on the head with their performances.

I actually gained new-found respect for Gyllenhaal. She was absolutely brilliant. BUT...to my surprise this movie not only stops being dark, but actually evolves into a light-hearted romantic comedy! Not one of those cheesy schmaltzy rom-coms you see churned out by the 1000s but a rom-com nonetheless.

..with sadomasochistic overtones. However, that does NOT mean I didn't like this movie. I found it interesting, charming to a point, dark, sexy as hellfire, well-directed and funny, which is hard to pull off considering how difficult it is to not make mirthy films that aren't absurd.

This film tip-toes that line line a suicidal tightrope walker dressed as a dominatrix at the circus. A fantastic screenplay that not only tells a great story but tells the story behind the story. You learn precisely why Gyllenhall and Spader are the way they are, most notably with Gyllenhaal by her strange relationship with her mother (A creepy portrayal by Leslie Ann Warren) and her alcoholic father (A heartbreaking turn by Stephen McHattie).

A must-see for anyone who likes their films edgy, but not too edgy.