Secretary (2002)

Comedy, Drama, Romance

Director: Steven Shainberg
Writers: Erin Cressida Wilson, Mary Gaitskill, Steven Shainberg
Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Spader, Jeremy Davies, Lesley Ann Warren

"Assume the position."

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), 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.

Plot summary from IMDb: An emotionally fragile woman recently released from a mental hospital for self mutilation goes to school to gain secretarial skills to gain employment. She has an alcoholic father and a co-dependent mother who are clueless as to who she really is which a tormented soul who really wants to find something with which she can find success. She is a great secretary and finds a job with a unique, old fashioned, but off center in charge boss with a somewhat sadistic sexual proclivity. She grows and evolves and so does he.

Awards: Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 15 wins & 25 nominations.
Runtime: 107 min
R