Secretary
Secretary

Movie spotlight

Secretary

1985
Movie
80 min
Turkish

A womanizer office boss blackmails his assistant by requesting her to please him, a young ingenue whom he hired as his own private secretary. She then decides to fascinate him by collecting enough proof to get him caught red-handed.

Insights

IMDb6.3/10
Rotten Tomatoes75%
Metacritic64/100
Google Users74%
Director: Steven ShainbergGenres: Drama, Romance

Plot Summary

Lee Holloway, recently released from a mental institution, seeks employment and finds herself drawn to the world of secretarial work. She takes a job with E. Edward Gray, a demanding lawyer with a penchant for discipline. As their professional relationship deepens, an unconventional and complex BDSM dynamic begins to emerge between them, challenging societal norms and their own understanding of love and power.

Critical Reception

Secretary was met with critical acclaim, particularly for its bold exploration of themes related to sexuality, power dynamics, and mental health. Gyllenhaal and Spader's performances were widely praised for their nuanced portrayal of complex characters, and the film was noted for its dark humor and unconventional narrative.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its unique and daring exploration of BDSM themes.

  • Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader deliver captivating and bold performances.

  • The film's dark humor and unconventional romantic dynamic were a frequent point of discussion.

Google audience: Google users generally appreciated the film's originality and the strong performances of the lead actors, finding it a thought-provoking and unconventional love story. Some reviewers noted its explicit themes, which might not appeal to all audiences.

Awards & Accolades

Nominated for two Independent Spirit Awards: Best Female Lead (Maggie Gyllenhaal) and Best Screenplay. Maggie Gyllenhaal also received a Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival.

Fun Fact

The distinctive typewriter used by Lee Holloway in the film was a vintage Olympia SM3, a model popular in the mid-20th century, chosen to add to the film's aesthetic and thematic elements.

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