MOVIE - SECRETARY - Review Rating $$$$$ $$$ (OUT OF 10)
STARRING - JAMES SPADER, MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL, JEREMY DAVIS, LESLIE
ANN WARREN, STEPHEN McHATTIE & AMY LOCANE.
Billed as a romantic comedy, this is the story of a young, emotional disturbed woman who gets a job as a secretary, working for an equally troubled lawyer, with whom she develops a kinky relationship.
This is a very dark exploration of psychological co-dependence, addiction and a yearning for acceptance. Maggie Gyllenhaal plays, Lee Holloway, the troubled star of the film. Unable to cope with her family's suffocating dysfunction she has been mutilating herself from an early age. As her relationship progresses, with lawyer Edward Grey (James Spader), the movie would have us believe that she is transformed. Spader's character is transformed in the process as well. It is the nature of the transformation, which occurs, that compels the viewer to watch. The experience is similar to slowing down and staring at the aftermath of a grisly accident. You know you shouldn't but you can't help yourself.
Secretary attempts to justify the means, by which both transformations take place, by the ends achieved. The hard question for the viewer is, whether replacing one form of co-dependence with another, is actually a successful outcome?
Perhaps the darkest aspect of Secretary, is its implicit suggestion that "normal" relationships merely replace psychological compulsion, with other more accepted forms of compulsion (money, status etc.). Secretary, like watching Sally Jessie Raphael, may make you feel good about your own circumstances but it shouldn't.
The performances, by both Spader and Gyllenhaal are excellent. Gyllenhaal may well earn an Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Ms. Holloway.
Secretary is also visual eye candy. Great thought was put into creating the proper environment to express and explore the psychotic dimensions of its characters. Alternating, between being overt and sublime, the visuals play an essential role in portraying the character's perceptions and personalities.
While clearly not for all, Secretary is a worthwhile diversion, for those with a sense of adventure.
Alternative Reviews:
http://www.suntimes.com/output/ebert1/wkp-news-secretary27f.html
http://www.rollingstone.com/mv_reviews/review.asp?mid=2044788
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/Secretary-1116002/reviews.php
Official Website:
http://www.secretarythemovie.com/
MY TOP 10 MOVIES OF 2002 LIST
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2003
David Schwartz.
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