Carl's Movie Mini-Review: Secretary
Secretary
After such an unbelievably long time of wanting to watch the movie, having downloading it, and even having owned the DVD, I have finally watched Secretary. It was more than I expected and very likely more than anyone could have expected, whether or not you're aware of the sado-masochistic themes or not. The light-hearted trailer doesn't help much, either.
I don't really know where to place the film, but I suspect black romantic comedy seems most appropriate. It is a demanding story, and at times you may want to turn away because it sometimes feels like you're a bad person for being a voyeur to the painful things these characters go through (more on the emotional/psychological level than anything physical).
That said, it is a spectacular performance all around. Both James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal are commited to the story and bring out the nuances in their respective characters and breathe sincerity into the development of their personalities over its arc. (Perhaps one could say their characters have mental disorders. I won't.) The director must also be commended for leading the actors through the various tonal and emotional changes throughout the piece.
Of course Maggie Gyllenhaal is spectacularly beautiful and adorable. And though I don't watch Boston Legal and have not really seen him in anything else, I can now see why James Spader is matched with William Shatner.
Highly recommended, though I think you need to have a certain mindset to say that you enjoyed this film.
After such an unbelievably long time of wanting to watch the movie, having downloading it, and even having owned the DVD, I have finally watched Secretary. It was more than I expected and very likely more than anyone could have expected, whether or not you're aware of the sado-masochistic themes or not. The light-hearted trailer doesn't help much, either.
I don't really know where to place the film, but I suspect black romantic comedy seems most appropriate. It is a demanding story, and at times you may want to turn away because it sometimes feels like you're a bad person for being a voyeur to the painful things these characters go through (more on the emotional/psychological level than anything physical).
That said, it is a spectacular performance all around. Both James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal are commited to the story and bring out the nuances in their respective characters and breathe sincerity into the development of their personalities over its arc. (Perhaps one could say their characters have mental disorders. I won't.) The director must also be commended for leading the actors through the various tonal and emotional changes throughout the piece.
Of course Maggie Gyllenhaal is spectacularly beautiful and adorable. And though I don't watch Boston Legal and have not really seen him in anything else, I can now see why James Spader is matched with William Shatner.
Highly recommended, though I think you need to have a certain mindset to say that you enjoyed this film.