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Secretary

Play trailer Poster for Secretary R 2002 1h 52m Drama Comedy Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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78% Tomatometer 157 Reviews 82% Popcornmeter 50,000+ Ratings
Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a young woman with a history of severe emotional problems, is released into the care of her overbearing parents following a stay at a mental institution. She finds work as a secretary for a rigid and demanding attorney, E. Edward Grey (James Spader), and starts dating the kind but dull Peter (Jeremy Davies). However, Lee soon realizes she's turned on by Grey's stern demeanor, and begins a sadomasochistic relationship with him.

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Secretary

Secretary

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Critics Consensus

Maggie Gyllenhaal impresses in this romantic comedy with a kinky twist.

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Critics Reviews

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Barbara Ellen The Times (UK) 01/02/2018
Spader handles a tricky role beautifully, but this is Gyllenhaals's tour de force. She is remarkable and original. Go to Full Review Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online 09/11/2017
B
... Secretary shows how one woman stopped at nothing to get her love. But I'm still scratching my head at the whole thing. Go to Full Review David Ansen Newsweek 11/01/2007
A feel-good movie about sadomasochism, the seriocomic Secretary manages to be simultaneously subversive and sweet...In the wrong hands, the conceit could have turned ugly and offensive. But Spader and Gyllenhaal have a hushed, hilarious chemistry. Go to Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy Mar 14
3/4
An honest and nonjudgmental movie about the unorthodox ways that lonely people often connect in an increasingly disconnected world. Go to Full Review Barbara Shulgasser Common Sense Media Jan 13
3/5
This film treats the subject of submission and domination with great seriousness but also with a comic whiff that slyly questions what society accepts as normal. Go to Full Review Stephen Silver Tilt Magazine 09/30/2022
4.5/5
Feels more like something A24 would release in 2022 than a Lionsgate movie from 2002, even though it's actually the latter (20th anniversary) Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Julian W @RT62367550 Apr 4 Ooops I accidentally made a review and can’t undo it See more Jack F @MovieFan111 Mar 16 It was a weird movie. I didn't particularly like the performances. I don't know if it was intentional, but I didn't think Mr. Grey's acting was that good and it felt off (again, probably intentional). Unconventional romance movie I wasn't expecting. I feel like everyone's heard of this movie at one point or another, but never felt like watching it. Well I'm here to say it's worth the watch. It's something different. See more Johnny G @gothondra Mar 10 This was an amazing love story. Brilliant performances by everyone involved especially Maggie and James. With Maggie trying so hard to please her boss James, but he continually gets annoyed with her mistakes. He then verbally demands she never commits self mutilation upon herself ever again. The development of her love for him is her willingness to please no matter what. I think James wife causes him too much anxiety causing him to hide from her. The love that develops between Maggie and James is easy to follow and very believable , it all seams so rewarding for both of them and I wish I had found such a fulfilling relationship myself in this life. See more Isabelle T @isabelleb Jan 20 this movie did wonders for my relationship See more Ed F @30462115 Dec 23 I kind of get it that they "fixed" (mostly) each other with their true love and understanding of each other and definitely better than 50 shades of grey but a very weird/kinky kind of movie. I guess I'm just not that into S&M. See more Gianna P. @2bummed Nov 15 This movie is great the intimate tension between Lee and Mr grey is so strong and very powerful and the way this movie shows a very good example of what a healthy sub and dom relationship is really about See more Read all reviews
Secretary

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Cast & Crew

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Steven Shainberg

Director

James Spader

E. Edward Grey

Maggie Gyllenhaal

Lee Holloway

Jeremy Davies

Peter

Patrick Bauchau

Dr. Twardon

Stephen McHattie

Burt Holloway

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Secretary

Secretary (2002) James Spalder and Maggie Gyllenhaal. James Spalder and Maggie Gyllenhaal. View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal), a young woman with a history of severe emotional problems, is released into the care of her overbearing parents following a stay at a mental institution. She finds work as a secretary for a rigid and demanding attorney, E. Edward Grey (James Spader), and starts dating the kind but dull Peter (Jeremy Davies). However, Lee soon realizes she's turned on by Grey's stern demeanor, and begins a sadomasochistic relationship with him.
Director
Steven Shainberg
Producer
Andrew Fierberg, Amy Hobby
Screenwriter
Mary Gaitskill, Erin Cressida Wilson
Distributor
Lionsgate Films
Production Co
Slough Pond, TwoPoundBag Productions, Double A Films
Rating
R (Language|Behavioral Disorders|Some Nudity|Strong Sexuality)
Genre
Drama, Comedy, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Sep 20, 2002, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Dec 20, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.0M
Runtime
1h 52m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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