Review of 'Secretary' - Sex~Kitten.net

Have you ever heard friends or the dreaded media go on & on about a movie? Gushing about everything from the artistic merits to the social impacts; fawning over everyone from director to the best boy? And what happened when you saw that movie? Did you feel let down?

If you’re like me, you’ve had that happen so often, that you now avoid seeing movies with such acclaim for 10 or 20 years, until the ‘stigma of success’ & the storyline are removed from your mind.

If you are like me, then you may wish to stop reading now, & go out & buy, yes, *buy*, ‘Secretary.’

(Gracie doesn’t want to be responsible for screwing with your cinematic experience ~ So, please, consider if you really want to go any further...)

If you came here looking for a dark fantasy porn flick, with hot images of pain-sluts in fetish gear, stop. This is not for you.

‘Secretary’ is the story of sexual awakening for one pain-slut.

You are now like the lead character, Lee ~ Do you see this sign & apply, or do you leave? It's your last chance to avoid too much information...

You’re still here? Ok, but I did warn you...

I don’t want to be a spoiler either, so this review is going to be a ‘lite’ version. Half the plot talk, and far less telling images than my usual review. And that’s because much of the delight in this film is how it unfolds...

It blooms before your eyes, in a most uncomfortable way. Like the birth of child, there are uncomfortable, even painful parts. But you need them, or the miracle would be less than wonderous...

There will be moments, within the first few minutes of the start of the film, that you will wonder “Just who was that dumb fuck who suggested this film?” And when you remember it was I, you’ll say to yourself “This is the last time I trust a movie review by a whore.” But if you stick with it (and I believe as the ‘uncomfortable’ gives into a ’creepy,’ & then a rapt fascination, you’ll find yourself hooked), you’ll find a story the likes of which you will not know how to categorize...

Not only will you not know how to categorize it, but you will wonder, as I do, how you can tell another about it without ruining their experience. But you will want to tell someone. You’ll have to! But then, you’ll wonder just who it is that you *can* tell about it. Just as it’s not the kind of movie you can recommend easily, it’s not the kind of movie you can recommend lightly...

But I am getting ahead of myself here. I haven’t yet convinced you that you need to see this movie, have I?

How’s this: Secretary, starring James Spader & Maggie Gyllenhaal, directed by Steven Shainberg, won the Special Jury Prize for Originality, 2002 Sundance Film Festival.

(I still implore you to stop reading now & go get a copy!)

‘Secretary’ was a movie that was released without proper attention. The trailer or preview makes it sound like a comedy. And if you had even an inkling of the subject matter, you’d think it an insensitive farce. The trailer is not only ‘all wrong,’ but viewing it, runs the risk of ruining it. So I won’t show you that either.

Most trailers are crap, though, so what else is new?

What is new is that ‘The Secretary’ is a film that treats the issue of BDSM as a legitimate, desired relationship. It is a love story, a romance, & it has BDSM ~ Imagine that!

It is the unique story of the relationship between two quirky (understatement) folks who enjoy kink (understatement). It is a story as wonderfully told as these characters unfold before your eyes ~ and within the sanctity of a well created film.

One could say that it is a coming of age film, for Lee is forced to make choices. She must choose between ‘easy’ & what is ‘right’ for her. But I think it is more accurate to say that ‘Secretary’ is a coming of age movie for the film industry. For the film does not make Lee’s choices between ‘good’ (a simple, easy life via marriage with her vanilla fiance) & ‘evil’ (a ‘bad’ relationship with a Dom).

BDSM is given dignity in the movies!

Don’t let the first shocking developments make you think otherwise! Just as BDSM explores the ‘darker side’ of desires, don’t let the darker side of personalities make you think for even a moment that this film is going to be one of those ‘victimization’ stories.

It’s characters are as complicated as understanding components of D/s power exchange, the pain & pleasure connections, and yes, as complicated as love itself is.

If you've seen 'Secretary,' hit the 'Discuss' button there at the bottom, & let's talk about it! If not, please, do yourself a favor & don't ~ Honestly. Go see it first!

The movie was based upon a 12-13 page story by Mary Gaitskill (called "Secretary") which appeared in the book "Bad Behavior." (Her books appear on the right side of this page.)