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Secretary
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Metascore
63 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 39 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.7 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 33 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal
  • Summary: A powerful and unique love story that toys with our expectations of love, sexuality and intimacy. (Lions Gate)

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 39
  3. Negative: 5 out of 39
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Staff (Not Credited)
    91
    There's a word for an actress who can go from nervous to winsome to raunchy to romantic in a heartbeat and get you to adore her the whole time. The word is star.
  2. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Peter Rainer
    60
    Secretary is deeply conventional: Edward and Lee accept their bondage as the way to a more fulfilling life. It's the filmmakers who need to be spanked.
  3. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Michael Wilmington
    38
    Though I would agree it's original -- it's the first aboveground romance movie I've seen in which the heroine is repeatedly spanked, verbally tormented and tied to a chair by her lover--- it's not an experience I much enjoyed.

See all 39 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 19
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 19
  3. Negative: 1 out of 19
  1. AnnaC.
    10
    James Spader was exceptional and it took a subject that isn't all that uncommon and made it mainstream. This isn't hardcore BDSM, it's just an alternative way to enjoy love.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. MarkJ.
    9
    The Secretary takes all of the standard 'love story' cliches and explores them with more honesty and meaning than any genre standard. Spader is perfect in his role; memories of his dysfunctional sexual nature from 'Sex, Lies and videotape' and 'Crash' had me convinced of his 'perversion' from the start. Maggie Gyllenhaal owns the screen with every sultry moment, and her pairing with Spader works perfectly throughout. Whilst the closing minutes of the film seem to go against the unfolding plot of a tragic love story, it works perfectly in achieving its' aim of showing us that there really is someone out there for everybody. Truly memorable performances and a truly touching film.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. darbs264
    8
    Excellent movie! Didn't know what to expect when starting this film, however very pleasantly surprised. Gyllenhaal is amazing and so is Spader, their sheer intensity during some of the scenes makes you shudder. However, I believe that this film is a very powerful metaphor for finding oneself and true love, and can't be missed by the avid movie watcher. Especially someone who likes Gyllenhaal from other pieces. The S&M is not pornographic, rather personal. I highly rate this film, good plot, fantastic characters and actors, excellent movie!… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes

See all 19 User Reviews

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