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Secretary

Play trailer Poster for Secretary R Released Sep 20, 2002 1h 52m Drama Comedy Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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77% Tomatometer 155 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

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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) Spader handles a tricky role beautifully, but this is Gyllenhaals's tour de force. She is remarkable and original. Jan 2, 2018 Full Review Candice Frederick Reel Talk Online ... Secretary shows how one woman stopped at nothing to get her love. But I'm still scratching my head at the whole thing. Rated: B Sep 11, 2017 Full Review Owen Gleiberman Entertainment Weekly Rated: A- Sep 7, 2011 Full Review Stephen Silver Tilt Magazine Feels more like something A24 would release in 2022 than a Lionsgate movie from 2002, even though it's actually the latter (20th anniversary) Rated: 4.5/5 Sep 30, 2022 Full Review James Croot The Post NZ A wicked little off-beat love story. Rated: 4/5 Jan 6, 2022 Full Review Casey Cipriani Bustle Presenting the original Mr. Gray. Maggie Gyllenhaal's Lee Halloway and James Spader's E. Edward Gray are a top notch duo of lawyer and secretary... Nov 16, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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K K So I am partial here and a big fan of Maggie Gyllenhaal, who plays Lee Holloway in this movie. Yet when I am a "fan" I often let a lot slide. Well, I am aware, but again let it slide. Fair not really, but when you make our biases known, then there is not so much of a problem: I've got favorites. Let you know, so they probably score higher. OK, what a great erotic psychological thriller. The cast delivered. James Spader as E. Edward Gray, Maggie Gyllenhaal as Lee Holloway, Jeremy Davies as Peter, and Patrick Bauchau as Dr. Twardon, Stephen McHattie as Burt Holloway, Oz Perkins as Jonathan, Jessica Tuck as Tricia O'Connor, Amy Locane as Lee's sister, Lesley Ann Warren as Joan Holloway, Michael Mantell as Stewart, Sabrina Grdevich as Allison, Ezra Buzzington as typing teacher. Wow, fantastic cast, some went in other directions, like Oz. Perkis is now directing some great movies. Maggie Gyllenhaal, who plays Lee Holloway, took us on a story of a hurt person trying to figure things out with a background that contributes to so many harms. Watch it. Gyllenhaal is one of those actors under the radar for awards and definitely warranted more recognition, but hey, she is a big movie star, received nominations and won awards, acting in many movies and now directing The Bride's interpretation of The Bride of Frankenstein, a movie which I cannot wait to go see. James Spader as E. Edward Gray nails down this sort of type, attorney type. I've met some of these in real life. A lot going in the movie, and ultimately, what two consenting adults with capacity decide upon is good for them. Lee almost seems to have the emotional and mental capacity of a teenager or younger perhaps, which some might think doesn't make the ending that great as there is no actual consent. But this is a loaded question. Adults of age and capacity must have freedom in their personal space (its fundamental right in some ways)of sex and the bedroom. I don't have issue with BDSM, role-playing, dressing up and all that, regardless of the roles they take on: cheerleader, coach, baby doll and custodian, going to kidnap you and put you in my van for fun, role-playing stuff, etc. Often times passionate, intelligent people have sexual fantasies that they would never want to do for real but explore these concepts with another consenting adult. To limit these freedoms would concern me. This movie explores the freedom and interest in BDSM in a more candid and less romantic version that Twenty Shades of Gray brought, both enjoyable, but the frank nature of this movie in acting and directing appealled to me. Check this movie out if you're into erotic-romantic-comedy drama! Note: we need more of these movies in the theatres. Back in 2002 they made 4 million, so about 7 million today budget -in the theaters rather. Good actors, even great actors, will make lower-budget movies if the quality rings authentic. Yet cheap, manufactured, drival won't elicit quality actors. AND YES, WE NEED MOVIE STARS like Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader and many in this cast as they get people interested in watching movies and often go because of them! Those who discount the star power are jealous perhaps of wanting to be one or wanting to get one to work for their studios and cannot. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/05/25 Full Review Khadidja G I know that paralegal was sick of them. This was actually romantic as hell! Lee and Edwards are both very odd people who belong together, I support it. Also, James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal both have such interesting faces, I could stare at them for hours. AND THE CHEMISTRY! A great pairing. 50 shades you are NOTHING. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/07/25 Full Review Rami A Maggie Gyllenhaal gives it all in what is considered by many as her best performance. She allows the audience to become invested in her character and yearn for more. She works well with her co-stars, especially, James Spader, who does a good job in making us wanting to smack his character, but I kinda don't blame James Spader's actions towards Maggie Gyllenhaal after getting pissed on by Jack Nicholson in "Wolf" (1994). Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/04/25 Full Review Scott B I struggled getting through the first 15 minutes. Pathetic! Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/25/25 Full Review Audience Member My absolute favorite movie in the entire world. It shows such an amazing and hardly used side of dom/sub that is hardly explored. I recommend this to anyone interested in dom/sub. Also, the female gaze in this movie is phenomenal. I can't say anything but that this movie is the most amazing thing i've ever watched. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/16/25 Full Review Brad CKA L https://youtu.be/l5GRP-lDDZI?si=70RmkJhumhWaEJLh Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/25/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Secretary

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Secretary

Secretary: Official Clip - Thank You, Daddy Secretary: Official Clip - Thank You, Daddy 2:01 Secretary: Official Clip - I Love You Secretary: Official Clip - I Love You 2:40 Secretary: Official Clip - I'm Your Secretary Secretary: Official Clip - I'm Your Secretary 3:37 Secretary: Official Clip - Pull Down Your Pantyhose Secretary: Official Clip - Pull Down Your Pantyhose 2:11 Secretary: Official Clip - Lights Out Secretary: Official Clip - Lights Out 2:01 Secretary: Official Clip - Bend Over Secretary: Official Clip - Bend Over 2:53 Secretary: Official Clip - Never Cut Yourself Again Secretary: Official Clip - Never Cut Yourself Again 2:05 Secretary: Official Clip - Typos Secretary: Official Clip - Typos 3:00 Secretary: Official Clip - There's Something About You Secretary: Official Clip - There's Something About You 1:57 View more videos
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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, Steven Shainberg, Michael Roban
Screenwriter
Mary Gaitskill, Steven Shainberg, Erin Cressida Wilson, 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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