Secretary (2002) R | 104 Min | Comedy, Drama, Romance

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1,742 Secretary (2002) R | 104 min | Comedy, Drama, Romance | 11 October 2002 (USA)

Your rating: -/10 7.1 Ratings: 7.1/10 from 65,741 users Metascore: 63/100 Reviews: 385 user | 162 critic | 39 from Metacritic.com

A young woman, recently released from a mental hospital, gets a job as a secretary to a demanding lawyer, where their employer-employee relationship turns into a sexual, sadomasochistic one.

Director: Steven Shainberg ad feedbac k Writers: Erin Cressida Wilson (screenplay), Mary Gaitskill (short story), 2 more credits » Stars: James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jeremy Davies | Quick Links See More on IMDb Pro » See full cast and crew » Full Cast and Crew Plot Summary + Watchlist Watch Trailer Share... Trivia Parents Guide Quotes User Reviews Awards Release Dates Message Board Company Credits Watch Now From EUR2.99 on Amazon Video O N DI SC Explore More Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 15 wins & 23 nominations. See more awards » Best of 2015: Best Movie Stills

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Storyline Edit Be the first of your friends to like this

An emotionally fragile woman recently released from a mental hospital for self mutulation goes to school to gain secretarial skills to gain employment. She has an alcoholic father and a co- dependent mother who are clueless as to who she really is which a tormented soul who really

wants to find something with which she can find success. She is a great secretary and finds Follow @imdb 1.94M follow ers a job with a unique, old fashioned, but off center in charge boss with a somewhat sociopathic sexual proclivity. She grows and evolves and so does he. Written by kateann1027 Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis Share this Rating

Taglines: The story of a demanding boss and the woman who loves his demands. See Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? more » Use the HTML below. Show HTML View more styles Genres: Comedy | Drama | Romance

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA) User Polls Rated R for strong sexuality, some nudity, depiction of behavioral disorders, and language | See all certifications » 25 (overused) Job Parents Guide: View content advisory » Cinematic Trends ...

Details Edit See more polls » Official Sites: Official site [France] | Official site [UK] Country: USA Language: English Release Date: 11 October 2002 (USA) See more » Also Known As: Secretary - Womit kann ich dienen? See more » Filming Locations: La Boca Restaurant - 5368 Wilshire, Los Angeles, California, USA See more »

Box Office

Budget: $4,000,000 (estimated) Opening Weekend: $182,306 (USA) (20 September 2002) Gross: £829,624 (UK) (13 June 2003) See more »

Company Credits

Production Co: Slough Pond, TwoPoundBag Productions, double A Films See more » Show detailed company contact information on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime: 104 min Sound Mix: Dolby Digital Color: Color Aspect Ratio: 1.85 : 1 See full technical specs »

Did You Know? Edit

Trivia In the source story by Mary Gaitskill, the central character is Debby Roe, her employer is called only "the lawyer," and they live in Michigan. In the film, she is called Lee Holloway, he is called E. Edward Grey, and they live in Florida. See more »

Goofs Lee is copying a one page document with the copier cover open. This might be okay if the page was positioned exactly right, but the page is in the middle of the glass instead of in a corner (which is usual) and after Grey tells her "good letter" she accidentally moves the page but continues copying. This would definitely result in askew copies with dark sections. See more »

Quotes Lee: You're not shy. You're a lawyer. See more »

Connections Referenced in Californication: The Party (2012) See more »

Soundtracks Chariots Rise Performed by Lizzie West Written by Lizzie West Produced by Brian Gitkin for West Press & Company Engineered by Val Gamarnik (as Valery Gamarnik) Courtesy of Warner Brothers Records Inc. See more »

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What's up with the worm?

Q: Why does Lee stare into the camera at the end of the film?

Q: What songs are featured in the film?

See more (Spoiler Alert!) »

User Reviews

More tease than strip 13 October 2004 | by The_Void (Beverley Hills, England) – See all my reviews

In this romantic black comedy, Maggie Gyllenhaal stars as Lee Holloway, the lady worker of the title. As you probably already know, this secretary doesn't just push pens and use paper clips, she has another, more exciting capacity as her boss's love object. The film actually isn't quite as naughty as many people think it thinks it is, but the truth is that the sadomasochistic area of the film isn't really all that important. The film isn't really about obscure sexual preferences, it's about finding someone whom you are comfortable with and the S&M is just a means to an end. The sex aspect of the film does serve a purpose, however, in that it's that which makes the film a social satire of this culture of flirting in the office; a very over the top one, that is, and one that gives the film it's shock value; but to be honest, you don't really get to see that much bondage. The film is very original in it's portrayal of S&M however, as it's a very taboo subject and for it to be portrayed in a sweet and upbeat manner like this is welcome and very different.

As mentioned, Maggie Gyllenhaal takes the title role and starring opposite her is James Spader as her boss. Gyllenhaal's character is sweet, inexperienced and bashful. She's very easy to like, but she can also be annoying at times. Spader's character is the complete opposite; despite being insecure, he comes across as being cold, calm and collected. He keeps his emotions hidden inside and reveals very little about himself, unlike Maggie's character who is happy to wear her emotions on her sleeve and doesn't seem to mind what other people think. Observe the way that the boss continues to tell her to put her shoes on because her feet stink etc; not exactly the most conscientious person to ever walk the earth. Despite being chalk and cheese, however, the two characters blend together in a way that is both believable and interesting, and this makes for some great chemistry between the two leads that is hard not to enjoy. The fact that they are chalk and cheese is a help and not a hindrance to the film as it serves in making it all the more interesting. My only quibble with the characterization is the ending, which although it brings the message out, seems tacked on and rather unrealistic…but it's not enough to spoil the film.

Overall, Secretary is not a masterpiece, but it is a very good portrayal love, and one that is far superior to dull and dreary films such as 'Lost in Translation'. It's entertaining for it's duration, there are several funny moments and the central message, which states that it's worth going to extremes for the one you love is a worthwhile one for any movie, even if it is someone lost under the premise of the movie. Recommended.

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