Secretary

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Secretary

R

2002

1h 52m

Drama

Comedy

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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Critics Consensus

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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)

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Julian W

@RT62367550 Apr 4

Ooops I accidentally made a review and can’t undo it

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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.

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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.

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Isabelle T

@isabelleb Jan 20

this movie did wonders for my relationship

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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.

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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

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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

Secretary: Official Clip - Thank You, Daddy

2:00

Secretary: Official Clip - I Love You

2:40

Secretary: Official Clip - I'm Your Secretary

3:37

Secretary: Official Clip - Pull Down Your Pantyhose

2:11

Secretary: Official Clip - Lights Out

2:01

Secretary: Official Clip - Bend Over

2:53

Secretary: Official Clip - Never Cut Yourself Again

2:05

Secretary: Official Clip - Typos

3:00

Secretary: Official Clip - There's Something About You

1:57

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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
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)