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After checking out of a mental institution, a woman (Maggie Gyllenhaal) works for an attorney (James... (Learn more)

Starring: James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jeremy Davies (View All)

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James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal in Secretary. (Photo: Lions Gate)
About Secretary

Starring: James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jeremy Davies

Sadomasochism provides the backdrop for a very unusual employer/employee relationship in this very offbeat romantic drama from filmmaker Steven Shainberg. Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is a shy young woman, who, after a brief spell in a mental institution, is released in the care of her overprotective mother (Lesley Ann Warren) and hard-drinking father (Stephen McHattie). Hoping to make good on her own, Lee begins looking for a job, and in her free time indulges in her odd habit of inflicting pain upon herself in various ways. Lee is hired as a secretary by E. Edward Grey (James Spader), a grim and ruthlessly efficient attorney who warns her that her work will be both dull and demanding. Lee takes to the job with genuine enthusiasm, and while she's recently acquired a new boyfriend, Peter (Jeremy Davies), she's far more intrigued by Grey's coldly patrician demeanor. While Grey often criticizes Lee, she seems to thrive on his abuse, but one day he crosses a line when he insists upon spanking her after some minor mistake. Lee quite enjoys the treatment, and wants it to continue, but Grey can no longer take pleasure humiliating Lee when he knows that she likes it; he fires her, despite her pleas to be allowed to stay. Finally discovering the key to her sexual and emotional needs, Lee tries to persuade Peter to be rough with her, but he simply doesn't have the taste or talent for it, and Lee soon maps out a last-ditch effort to win back her position with Grey, whatever the cost. Secretary won a special award for "Originality" at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

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Quick Facts

US Release Date

9/20/02

MPAA Rating

Rated R for strong sexuality, some nudity, depiction of behavioral disorders, and language.

Running Time

104 mins.

Locations

  • Los Angeles, California, USA

Language

  • English

Box Office Total

$4,046,737

Awards

  • Winner of the Most Promising Performer award at the 2002 Chicago Film Critics Association [Fest Awards.
  • Winner of the Special Dramatic Jury Prize for Originality award at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival [Festival/Award Awards.
  • Winner of the Breakthrough Performance - Female award at the 2002 National Board of Review [Festival/Awa Awards.
  • Nominated for a Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical award at the 2002 Hollywood Foreign Press Association [F Awards.
  • Winner of the Best Actress - Runner-up award at the 2002 Toronto Film Critics Association [Fest Awards.
  • Winner of the Best First Screenplay award at the 2002 Independent Spirit Awards [Festival/Aw Awards.
  • Winner of the Best Actress - Runner-up award at the 2002 National Society of Film Critics [Fest Awards.
  • Nominated for a Best Actress award at the 2002 Independent Spirit Awards [Festival/Aw Awards.
  • Nominated for a Best Picture award at the 2002 Independent Spirit Awards [Festival/Aw Awards.

Distributor

  • Lions Gate Films
  • Lionsgate
  • Studio Home Entertainment

Official Site