Secretary (film)
| Secretary | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Steven Shainberg |
| Produced by | Andrew Fierberg Amy Hobby Steven Shainberg |
| Screenplay by | Steven Shainberg |
| Story by | Erin Cressida Wilson |
| Based on |
Bad Behavior by Mary Gaitskill |
| Starring |
James Spader Maggie Gyllenhaal |
| Music by | Angelo Badalamenti |
| Cinematography | Steven Fierberg |
| Edited by | Pam Wise |
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Production
company |
Twopoundbag Productions
Double A Films SloughPond Co. |
| Distributed by | Lions Gate Films |
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Release date
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Running time
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111 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $4 million |
| Box office | $9.3 million |
Secretary is a 2002 romantic comedy-drama film directed by Steven Shainberg and starring Maggie Gyllenhaal as Lee Holloway and James Spader as E. Edward Grey. The film is based on a short story from Bad Behavior by Mary Gaitskill, and explores the relationship between a dominant man and his submissive secretary.
Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal), the socially awkward and emotionally sensitive youngest daughter of a dysfunctional family, adjusts to normal life after having been hospitalized following an incident of dangerous self-harm. She learns to type, and begins to work as a secretary for an eccentric attorney, E. Edward Grey (James Spader), who hires her despite her stilted social skills, unprofessional appearance and scoring higher than anyone he's ever interviewed, which would make her overqualified for the job. Edward explains that it's dull work and they don't use computers; however, Lee remarks that she is okay with these conditions.
Though at first Edward appears to be highly irritated by Lee's typos and other innocuous mistakes, it soon becomes apparent that he is sexually aroused by her obedient behavior. After he confronts her about her propensity for self-injury and commands that she never hurt herself again, the two embark on a BDSM relationship. Lee experiences a sexual and personal awakening, and she falls deeply in love. Edward, however, displays insecurity concerning his feelings for Lee, and he feels shame and disgust over his sexual habits. During this period of exploration with Edward, Lee has also been attempting to have a more conventional boyfriend in Peter (Jeremy Davies), even engaging in lukewarm sex with him. After a sexual encounter in Edward Grey's office, Grey fires Lee.
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