Secretary

Name: Secretary
Genre: Drama, Comedy, Romance
Released: September 20, 2002
Duration: 104 min
Rating: 63
Cast: James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal

2002

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 39 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 171 Ratings

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5.6

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5.6	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 171 Ratings

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Secretary

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Movie Details & Credits

Lions Gate Films | Release Date: September 20, 2002 | R

Starring: James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal

Summary: A powerful and unique love story that toys with our expectations of love, sexuality and intimacy. (Lions Gate)

Director: Steven Shainberg

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy, Romance

Rating: R

Runtime: 104 min

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Critic Reviews

Staff (Not Credited)

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. Read full review

William Arnold

Secretary is one of the best of a growing strain of daring films -- "Bliss," "The Lifestyle," "Satin Rouge" -- that argue that any sexual relationship that doesn't hurt anyone and works for its participants is a relationship that is worthy of our respect. Read full review

J. Hoberman

The unnecessarily emphatic ending suggests that Secretary's makers are a bit anxious to demonstrate they've whipped a potentially grotesque, spanks-for-the-memories scenario into the season's most romantic love story -- which is, in fact, what they've done. Read full review

Steven Rea

Pulls off a neat trick: It's a poignant, sweet-natured love story in which what most of us would call kinky sex - domination, submission, some enthusiastic spanking - is featured prominently, but not pruriently. Read full review

Merle Bertrand

Secretary, like the type of relationship it explores, is not for everybody. But it does what good films do best; that is to provoke us, push our buttons, make us think and maybe even entertain us in the process. Read full review

David Sterritt

The movie works hard to be naughty, but its sub-David Lynch style doesn't quite click. Gyllenhaal is excellent and Spader effectively adds to his roster of creepy characters. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

It provokes nothing but yawns, and the sex it explores is stuff everybody knows about and says, "So what?" Read full review

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User Reviews

AnnaC.

Oct 9, 2005

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.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

MarkJ.

Jan 2, 2007

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 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 found this helpful

ScottM

Nov 28, 2005

More proof that Maggie Gyllenhaal is one of the most talented, alluring, and underrated actesses working today.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

Tokyochuchu

Oct 7, 2012

Despite it's unusual skew, Secretary is actually one of the most romantic movies I've seen. Sure, the characters are complete S&M nutjobs, but hey, they need happiness too. It's also a fun ride from start to finish because you're never sure where Gyllenhaal's and Spader's relationship isDespite it's unusual skew, Secretary is actually one of the most romantic movies I've seen. Sure, the characters are complete S&M nutjobs, but hey, they need happiness too. It's also a fun ride from start to finish because you're never sure where Gyllenhaal's and Spader's relationship is going. I honestly thought he might kill her! Kudos to both the main actors for top-notch performances, too.… Expand

2 of 18 users found this helpful216

ComandanteCobra

Oct 15, 2021

An unsual film; a psychological drama: smart, romantic, erotic, with characters grow.
It tell the story of a girl that begin a journey of self-discovery after being released by a mental instituition. She is trying to find his way and let other hears her without being suppressed by herAn unsual film; a psychological drama: smart, romantic, erotic, with characters grow.
It tell the story of a girl that begin a journey of self-discovery after being released by a mental instituition. She is trying to find his way and let other hears her without being suppressed by her problems, her family and social expectations. This journey takes a turning point when she find a job for a lawyer with his own spsycological difficulty. Try it, it may suprise you because it has a real story under the sm first impression.
A much better, mature, down to earth and intelligent movie than 50 shades of gray.… Expand

0 of 5 users found this helpful05

emeraldcity

Sep 5, 2014

Well, as a secretary myself in an obscure company that makes bobble heads I can identify with the kind of situations this movie talks about. Having to retype a letter all day because I keep making mistakes because the only reason I have the job is because I'm pretty not because I'm able toWell, as a secretary myself in an obscure company that makes bobble heads I can identify with the kind of situations this movie talks about. Having to retype a letter all day because I keep making mistakes because the only reason I have the job is because I'm pretty not because I'm able to do anything properly behind a desk is just like the movie. I also get my bottom smacked when I make mistakes. It happens at least once a week. Far from it being a crude sexist experience it can be the highlight of my day-especially when its done in front of other people with my skirt off showing my bum in pantyhose to anyone in the room while my boss fondles himself with his free hand. What more could a girl want.… Expand

8 of 24 users found this helpful816

Spangle

Mar 10, 2016

The critically acclaimed 50 Shades of Grey, Secretary is either too smart for me or just about one of the dumbest movies I have ever seen. Sexist, unsexy, and one of the worst written films I have ever seen, Secretary is not the worst film I have ever seen, but it not as far off as it shouldThe critically acclaimed 50 Shades of Grey, Secretary is either too smart for me or just about one of the dumbest movies I have ever seen. Sexist, unsexy, and one of the worst written films I have ever seen, Secretary is not the worst film I have ever seen, but it not as far off as it should be. It is awkward, uncomfortable, and exists in this sort of dream world that tries to explore sexuality and depression, but winds up just sitting there and waiting for something to happen. Tragically, it never does and the viewer is left in the awkward position of being bored to tears. Character actions are odd, awkward, and completely undeveloped, leaving the audience to wonder why something happened. It not funny, it is poorly directed, and the acting is pretty rough. While I appreciate the dream aesthetic to the film, it is still an unbearable film that is not something I would subject my worst enemy to.… Expand

21 of 24 users found this helpful213

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84	#84 Most Discussed Movie of 2002
12	#12 Most Shared Movie of 2002