She enters the scene wearing a restraining device, something out of an S&M catalog. A black pole, attached to her neck via a collar of some sort, holds her arms outstretched in a crucifix position, her wrists dangling from soft cuffs locked at the ends of the pole. She wears a very attractive outfit befitting a well-dressed secretary consisting of a white blouse, black skirt, hose and heels. We see she is in a beautifully decorated office. She walks to behind a desk, and kneeling down presses her chin on a stapler in which several papers have been inserted. She stands and picks up the stapled papers with one hand. Then she retrieves a typed letter from a typewriter using her teeth. Walking to a small kitchen area, she uses her free hand to prepare a cup of coffee. Then she walks down the length of a hallway adorned with potted plants and small statues. She moves gracefully despite her encumbrance. Turning to her side so that she can fit her arms through the doorway to what we assume to be the boss's office, she turns to face the camera, and with an impish look on her face she pushes the door shut behind her with her foot.
The words Six Months Earlier flash on the screen.
Now we see a very different looking Lee Holloway. She stands in front of a building with a suitcase by her side. Her face looks haggard. She wears no makeup. Her hair is limp and stringy. We hear her voiceover. "I got out of the institution on the day of my sister's wedding." Her doctor (Jeremy Davies), who tells her he will always be there for her, sees her off as her mother (Lesley Ann Warren) pulls up to pick her up. It is clear from her mother's gesturing and facial expressions that she is overprotective of her daughter.
The scene shifts to her sister's wedding reception and Lee's father (Stephen McHattie) seems to be having too much to drink. Lee thinks he has stopped. Eventually, Lee goes to her bedroom, and tucked away underneath her mattress is an ornately decorated box within which are varied implements for cutting. We see her rub something against a sharpening stone. It is the toe of a ballerina figurine. She pulls up her dress exposing her thigh, and she presses the sharpened toe into her flesh.
The question is why does Lee have this need to hurt itself, and how does she transform from being a drab, emotionally distraught self-destructive person to a sultry subservient secretary? The key is the compulsive/obsessive and abusive yet reclusive lawyer E. Edward Grey (James Spader) with whom Lee applies for a job. Grey has a permanent sign in front of his office that says "Secretary Wanted," and as Lee enters his place of business we see a woman leaving with her office stuff packed up in a box. We can only assume Grey has fired another secretary.
After Grey explains to Lee in so many words how menial the job is almost daring her not to take it, she eagerly accepts the position. In his everyday dealings with Lee it as if he is goading her into leaving, but she always answers his overbearing orders and complaints with a smile and a "yes sir." Grey seems confused at first at Lee's acquiescent behavior, and then preoccupied with it.
What plays out is the most revealing and innovative love story I have ever seen. Both James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal deliver Oscar-worthy performances, and had it been a studio film rather than independent, it most assuredly would've received Academy award nominations. It is a highly sexually-charged movie that I recommend for any open-minded viewer to see. I say open-minded for this film explores sadomasochistic behavior, but in an enlightening way. We see how two individuals can fill each other's needs in such a relationship so that is beneficial to them both. This film reveals the world of a sadomasochistic romance as films such as Brokeback Mountain have done with gay relationships. This movie is not without its moments of suspense, either. There were many times when I was riveted at a pivotal moment wondering desperately what was going to happen next. It is one of those movies that you never know until the very end whether it will have a happy ending or not, and I am not going to tell.
The IMDB has this film rated as 7.2. I myself would have to give it an 8.5 if only for Spader's and Gyllenhaal's performances, but the movie as a whole delivers and then some. If you like good independent filmmaking, and enjoy, or at the very least can handle, gut-wrenching emotional moments, then by all means see this film.
Audio -- Stereo
Subtitles -- English, Spanish
Special Features
Trailer
Commentary with director Stephen Shainberg
and writer Erin Cressida Wilson
Behind the Secretary
Photo Gallery
3 comments:
This was indeed one of those strange movies. I love both actors, which made me interested; but I almost felt naughty watching voyeuristically. Nice writeup bruv.
Ok, do Pulp Fiction. That's another odd one. :)
I watched this film a while back and have to say I didn't get it. But I'm not really a Spader fan so maybe that had something to do with it. Good write up though!
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