Secretary

Lee Holloway has just left a mental hospital and takes a job as secretary to a demanding lawyer known as Mr. Grey. What begins as a conventional office relationship quickly shatters the line between professional duties and personal control. He imposes clear rules and rigid standards, and she agrees to them with a mix of fear, curiosity, and a growing sense of autonomy. As their daily exchanges tiptoe between authority and intimacy, Lee discovers new sides of herself, while Mr. Grey confronts his own complicated appetite for order and submission. Their dynamic unfolds with a dry, sly humor that keeps the mood off balance, turning a simple workplace tale into something much more intimate and provocative.

Released in 2002, the film was directed by Steven Shainberg with a screenplay by Erin Cressida Wilson, adapting Mary Gaitskill's short story Secretary. It marked a notable collaboration that helped launch a bold indie romance and showcased a restrained, offbeat style.

Across its domestic and international release the film grossed about 9.3 million dollars worldwide, well above its four million dollar budget. The modest box office reflected its status as an artful but accessible adult drama that found wary audiences in art houses and festival circuits.

Secretary became a notable entry in early 2000s indie cinema, remembered for Maggie Gyllenhaal's breakthrough performance and a stylish, understated approach to a taboo subject. The film sparked conversations about sexual autonomy and power in relationships, while earning a place in discussions about bold romantic comedies. It also helped push indie releases into broader markets and lingered in pop culture as a reference for complex romantic power dynamics.

Critics responded to its dry humor and restrained direction, praising the performances and the screenplay. The film centers on control and consent within a volatile romance, offering a meditation on healing and self confidence as the relationship matures, balancing wit with unexpected emotional warmth. Feeling real stakes without cynicism, the film earns lasting regard.