Secretary

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Secretary

R

Released Sep 20, 2002

1h 52m

Drama

Comedy

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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Critics Consensus

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

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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

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: A-

Sep 7, 2011

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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

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James Croot

The Post NZ

A wicked little off-beat love story.

Rated: 4/5

Jan 6, 2022

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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

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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

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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

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Scott B

I struggled getting through the first 15 minutes. Pathetic!

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/25/25

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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

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Eylul O

to be honest i dunno why this film is considered a romance but its an interesting perspective and the actors managed to play really hard roles, so props the them

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/15/24

Full Review

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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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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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