The Secretary in question is Lee Holloway (Maggie Gyllenhaal, who looks disturbingly similar to her brother Jake, yet another sexually disturbing thing in this film), who is released from a mental hospital as this film begins. She's crazy because she cuts herself with implements from a sewing kit, due to her father being an alcoholic (there may be other reasons, but due to the lack of character development, I can only assume). During a particularly crazy moment, she decides to apply for a job as a secretary for Mr. Grey (James Spader), who has a light-up sign outside that advertises the position (sign #1 that this may not be the best place to work).
Mr. Grey is a bad man. He's mean, nasty, and not very pleasant to be around. He kicks puppies (ok, maybe he doesn't kick puppies). Regardless, Lee falls in love with him because she needs someone to dominate her and tell her what to do (and, obviously, to unleash his man-stuff on her back), things she's not getting from her boyfriend Peter (portrayed by Jeremy Davies, whose principal acting talents consist of "looking bewildered" and "having long hair").
This movie is put together very well, most of the acting is good, but it's lacking something, perhaps character development, or a valid climax and resolution. James Spader gives a good performance, despite not having appeared in anything that anybody has seen since Stargate. If you're into S&M films (that aren't porn), this is the film for you.
Mr. Grey is a bad man. He's mean, nasty, and not very pleasant to be around. He kicks puppies (ok, maybe he doesn't kick puppies). Regardless, Lee falls in love with him because she needs someone to dominate her and tell her what to do (and, obviously, to unleash his man-stuff on her back), things she's not getting from her boyfriend Peter (portrayed by Jeremy Davies, whose principal acting talents consist of "looking bewildered" and "having long hair").
This movie is put together very well, most of the acting is good, but it's lacking something, perhaps character development, or a valid climax and resolution. James Spader gives a good performance, despite not having appeared in anything that anybody has seen since Stargate. If you're into S&M films (that aren't porn), this is the film for you.