SteinMo
What a freaking movie. So many twists and turns. Absolutely intense from start to finish.
Murphy Howard
I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.
Sarita Rafferty
There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
Yazmin
Close shines in drama with strong language, adult themes.
aspergian
Those that find the film all of the above would probably tell you that they admire it because it is an exploration into the self. It's all about the inner dialectics of the infinitely subjective human condition, self liberation, know thyself, etcetera, etcetera.The deep "academic" stuff aside, it's really about is a mentally ill woman who happens to like hurting herself (cutting) who gets exploited by her employer who happens to be a sadist. There's lots of sex in it and it is deeply symbolic, but it's just not that interesting or emotional, unless you have sado-masochist tendencies. It's a twisted film for twisted people. I'm sure they would agree.
Smoreni Zmaj
I do not like SM, Maggie Gyllenhaal I never liked and comparing this to 50 Shades was complete deal breaker. But finally I decided to see it because of James Spider. I like him a lot. And now I'm sorry that I did not see this movie back in 2002. cause then I could use past 15 years to see it dozen more times. This movie is unbelievable. It is based on SM relationship, but it is more about love and determination to fight for what you really want. Spider is good as always, but Maggie was real surprise. I never saw her this way before. Beautiful, sweet and good actress. I underestimated her unfairly. And music done by Angelo Badalamenti, author of legendary Twin Peaks soundtrack. Movie hypnotized me completely and two hours was not long enough. I was horny, crying and laughing all at the same time. I can not recall any other movie ever had such effect on me. It blew my mind. This is one of easiest tens I ever gave and I'm miser when it comes to rating movies.10/10
ncallinicos
This film at times was slow. Yet in those slow moments I found myself lost in thought. The acting was suburb in the sense that you can feel the awkward sexuality through the film. I'm to guess that most of us have not been in a situation such as depicted in the film. For those that have I can not answer their opinions on this film, but I at times was uncomfortable, yet intrigued. It's an unconventional story of love, and who's to judge? All kinds of different things make different people happy. Mentally disturbed and maybe a bit too dedicated of a women, but who cares as long as she's happy in the end. We should all be so lucky to have some one so dedicated to us. Hopefully we are nicer to them, but whatever works I suppose. I'm going to say this is a definite watch, but not for those who don't feel like thinking at the moment or those who are not open to a bit unorthodox sexual situations.
capone666
SecretaryThe ironic thing about safe words is they're useless when you have a ball-gag in your mouth.The submissive in this drama, however, doesn't contemplate mercy.After her release from hospital, ex-cutter Lee (Maggie Gyllenhaal) lands a job as a legal secretary to E. Edward Grey (James Spader).Grey's exacting nature causes her to relapse. However, her obedience and pain threshold strikes a cord in Grey, who proposes they partake in BDSM.Over time, he withdraws from the relationship out of embarrassment and she pursues a more orthodox dating life.But one final act of submission on Lee's part thrusts Grey back into her life.Exploring the emotionally foreplay between the characters more than exploiting the erotic elements of their union, Secretary comes off as a smart, sophisticated take on BDSM, and relationships in general.Incidentally, women's fetish for bondage goes back to being tied to train-tracks by mustachioed villains.Green Lightvidiotreviews.blogspot.ca