The Secretary 2002
This one got a lot of attention from critics when it was out. I guess there aren’t that many S&M movies so when one comes out people perk up. The movie is about a young woman with some psychological problems. She never really gets cured of those problems (trading self-mutiliation for being a submissive S&M partner) but, like many people, she learns to live with them. Her boss is an eccentric (putting it mildly) lawyer (James Spader as James Spader) who doesn’t allow the use of computers and insists everything be typed on a typewriter (at least it’s electric). He keeps a Secretary Wanted sign outside and can make the sign light up without leaving his desk.
He is an interesting guy who wants to help but also can’t help but dominate his quiet withdrawn new secretary (Maggie Gyllenhaal). For all it matters these are the only two characters in the movie. The S and M stuff is mostly pretty mild (a spanking scene is the worst of it and still it’s just a spanking) as the boss dominates the secretary who welcomes someone taking control of her life.
I think for the most part we’re supposed to laugh at all the weird little quirks in these people. It is pretty funny at times but both of these people have some very real psychological problems that makes the whole thing just plain creepy. The pace of the movie, since it involves only these two characters, is very slow. Ultimately it is kind of a love story and plays out somewhat conventionally.
I kind of liked this and it is very different. But I don’t know that it really has much to offer. I’ll give it a C+.