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10/18/08
Secretary (2002)
74
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:138
Fresh:102
Rotten:36
Average Rating:6.7/10
Consensus: Maggie Gyllenhaal impresses in this romantic comedy with a kinky twist.
Runtime: 1 hr 51 mins
Genre: Comedies
US Box Office: $3,806,471
Synopsis: With sheer originality and bold,unflinching humor, Secretary embraces a most unconventional relationship and lays open the notion that love doesn't always occur in the traditional fashion. Lee... [More]
Starring: Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Spader, Jeremy Davies, Lesley Ann Warren
Director: Steven Shainberg
Reviews for Secretary
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; Australian critics are listed first)
Top CriticClick to read the article
05/30/03
Top CriticThe characters are more deeply thought through than in most 'right-thinking' films.
08/17/02
Makes S&M seem very romantic, and Maggie Gyllenhaal is a delight.
09/20/02
A comedy? A wake up call? I'm not sure.
10/25/05
One of the most significant moviegoing pleasures of the year.
09/19/02
One of the best of a growing strain of daring films ... that argue that any sexual relationship that doesn't hurt anyone and works for its participants is a relationship that is worthy of our respect.
09/26/02
Movies Secretary Director: Steven Shainberg Starring: Lesley Ann Warren, James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jeremy Davies (R, 104 min.) Secretary is a testament to the importance of tonality in telling a story.
10/20/02
The movie enters a realm where few non-porn films venture, and comes across as darkly funny, energetic, and surprisingly gentle.
09/17/02
It does what good films do best; that is to provoke us, push our buttons, make us think and maybe even entertain us in the process.
12/08/02
…it wasn’t the subject matter that ultimately defeated the film…It was the unfulfilling, incongruous, "wait a second, did I miss something?" ending.
10/06/02
Despite its flaws, Secretary stays in your head and makes you question your own firmly held positions.
10/17/02
It has an integrity to the kinkiness of its theme that doesn't shake loose but you'll get more out of it if you bring your analyst along with you.
09/16/03
Unless there are whips, chains or a whole lot of black leather in your closet, "Secretary" is probably not an ideal date movie.
10/25/02
A strangely compelling and brilliantly acted psychological drama.
09/20/02
Depending upon your reaction to this movie, you may never again be able to look at a red felt Sharpie pen without disgust, a thrill, or the giggles.
09/27/02
Fancy a little S&M? If so, then the kinky Secretary should be right up your alley.
10/01/02
Secretary is not a movie about fetishism. It is a movie about passion.
09/19/02
The Graduate by way of humiliation and water sports.
09/25/02
A sly female empowerment movie, although not in a way anyone would expect.
04/22/03
Latest News for Secretary
July 17, 2008:
Maggie Gyllenhaal Talks The Dark Knight 
It's a far cry from indie fare like Secretary or Sherrybaby, but for Maggie Gyllenhaal, taking on the role of Rachel Dawes in The Dark Knight was just the logical next step in... More...
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