Secretary

I finally got to see this movie. I've been wanting to for ages. Unfortunately, the copy I got (rented) skipped a lot, so I probably missed quite a few good parts. But overall, I really enjoyed the movie. Having a bit of an interest in that sort of thing, the movie rather inflamed that interest/desire. It was a great story and it was beautifully cast, and I do love James Spader. I think that eventually I'm going to have to buy myself a copy of this movie.

This kinky love story features a standout performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal, an offbeat young actress in her first starring role. Gyllenhaal plays Lee, a nervous girl who compulsively cuts herself, who gets a job as a secretary for Edward, an imperious lawyer (James Spader, an old hand at tales of perverse affection). Edward's reprimands for typos and spelling errors begin with mild humiliation, but as Lee responds to his orders--which are driven as much by his own anxieties and fears as any sense of order--the punishments escalate to spankings, shackles, and more. Secretary walks a fine line. It finds sly humor in these sadomasochistic doings without turning them into a gag, and it takes Lee and Edward's mutual desires seriously without getting self-righteous or pompous. Certainly not a movie for everyone, but some people may be unexpectedly stirred up by this smart and steamy tale of repressed passion.