IMDb > Secretary (2002)
Secretary
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Secretary (2002) More at IMDbPro »

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Secretary (2002) -- A young woman, recently released from a mental hospital, gets a job as a secretary to a demanding lawyer, where their employer-employee relationship turns into a sexual, sadomasochistic one.
Secretary (2002) -- Theatrical Preview
Secretary (2002) -- AllTrailers.net - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
7.1/10   27,577 votes
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Up 11% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.
Director:
Writers:
Erin Cressida Wilson (screenplay)
Mary Gaitskill (short story)
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Contact:
View company contact information for Secretary on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
14 November 2002 (Israel) more
Genre:
Tagline:
Assume the position. more
Plot:
A young woman, recently released from a mental hospital, gets a job as a secretary to a demanding lawyer, where their employer-employee relationship turns into a sexual, sadomasochistic one. full summary | full synopsis
Awards:
Nominated for Golden Globe. Another 14 wins & 17 nominations more
NewsDesk:
(63 articles)
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User Reviews:
The most original romantic comedy I've seen in YEARS! Highly recommended. more (364 total)

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Additional Details

MPAA:
Rated R for strong sexuality, some nudity, depiction of behavioral disorders, and language.
Runtime:
104 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Company:

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Gwyneth Paltrow was originally cast in the role of Lee Holloway. more
Goofs:
Continuity: Mr. Grey slams a letter on Lee's desk and he has circled the letter 'f' in the word 'knowledfe', which Lee has mistyped. When Mr. Grey brings Lee into his office and makes her bend over to read the mistyped letter she just placed on the desk, we see that the entire word is circled, not just the letter 'f,' as was seen before. Not only that, but the word circled in the letter Lee reads is "illuminatinh", rather than "knowledfe". more
Quotes:
Lee: I'm your secretary. more
Movie Connections:
Featured in In the Company of Women (2004) (TV) more
Soundtrack:
I Will Survive more

FAQ

What's up with the worm?
more
77 out of 89 people found the following review useful.
The most original romantic comedy I've seen in YEARS! Highly recommended., 9 March 2004
Author: Infofreak from Perth, Australia

I may be a jaded old cynic but from time to time a contemporary movie knocks me off my seat. Recently there's been quite a few -'May', 'Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance' and 'Auto Focus' immediately spring to mind. 'Secretary' is another recent gem. This is the most original romantic comedy (very black, mind you) I've seen in YEARS! And for something which deals with a lifestyle alien to me (dominance and submission) it's surprisingly touching, and even managed to get me to shed a tear or two. I had previously enjoyed Maggie Gyllenhaal's supporting roles in 'Donnie Darko' and John Waters' 'Cecil B. Demented' (she played Raven, the make up artist - "Pain is pleasure! Slavery is freedom! Suicide for Satan!' remember?), but her performance here is first class and is guaranteed to turn her into a major cult figure if not an actual genuine STAR. I confess that I now have a major crush on her to boot (I'm sure I'm not alone!). James Spader is also very, very good. While I admired him appearing in Cronenberg's 'Crash' a few years ago most of his other film choices have been safe ones and to be honest I'd pretty much given up on him as an actor. But it just goes to show what an actor is capable of with an innovative script and a supportive director. It's really difficult imagining any other two actors playing these roles any better. In the supporting cast Jeremy Davies also surprised me. I'd been getting a bit tired of his crazy shtick in previous roles, especially his extremely irritating performance in 'The Million Dollar Hotel', but he did a much more subtle job in this movie, and it really worked for me. This is my first experience with director Steven Shainberg but I was impressed. I now want to try and see his previous movie, the Jim Thompson adaptation 'Hit Me'. I also look forward to his next movie, because if 'Secretary' is any indication of his talent then he's sure to come up with something very special. Highly recommend.

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i laughed,i cried,i nearly died! bcurran05
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