re:mote voices

Title: Secretary
Cast: Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Spader, Jeremy Davies, Lesley Ann Warren, Stephen McHattie, Patrick Bauchau
Director: Steven Shainber

secretary is a chance for maggie gyllenhaal to give her first staring role. gyllenhaal has appeared in a number of minor roles, raising her profile over the last few years, with the likes of cecil b. demented, 40 days and 40 nights, adaptation and confessions of a dangerous mind. curiously secretary was actually filmed before several of those films, though it never made it to the cinema, at least in the UK, until those films had been out. secretary will be described by many as a dark comedy, to some it might even be considered a bit weird. but at its core, and despite the undeniable dark leanings, secretary is essentially and undeniably a rom.com - a romantic comedy. which is the biggest weakness, because that is what informs the end, and to some degree the development of the film. quite where it could have gone i can't entirely say, but there is something about the end of the film, or at least the "epilogue" type scene, which doesn't entirely sit comfortably.

gyllenhaal plays lee holloway, a woman who has been in hospital because she is a self-harmer. any problems that she has faced over the years have resulted in her hurting herself, so that she is covered in scars and psychiatric help was deemed as the only way to stop her going too far. however she gets out of hospital for her sister's wedding and has managed to convince those concerned that she is no longer in danger. however it is quickly clear to the viewer that she still has problems. when she finds herself a job as a secretary for a sadistic employer though her life is turned about. the two quickly get a measure of each other, and an incredibly abusive relationship ensues - one which is perfect for both of them it seems.

secretary has a definite dark humour to it, playing with the absurdity of some of the office scenes - the secretary delivering paper work and coffee while in restraints, or up on the desk with a saddle on and carrot in her mouth. while the performances of gyllenhaal and spader are striking and memorable within the context, there is something a little disappointing about secretary, perhaps it is the direction/pacing of the film? or perhaps the film just isn't fleshed out enough passed the basic concept? that said secretary is still worth seeing, but be aware of some of the hype and of some of the flaws.