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{{Short description|Film by Steven Shainberg}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Secretary
| image = Secretary (2002).png
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| director = [[Steven Shainberg]]
| screenplay = [[Erin Cressida Wilson]]
| story = {{plainlist|
* Steven Shainberg
* Erin Cressida Wilson
}}
| based_on = {{Based on|"Secretary"|[[Mary Gaitskill]]}}
| producer = {{plainlist|
* Andrew Fierberg
* [[Amy Hobby]]
* Steven Shainberg
}}
| starring = {{plainlist|
* [[James Spader]]
* [[Maggie Gyllenhaal]]
* [[Jeremy Davies]]
* [[Patrick Bauchau]]
* [[Stephen McHattie]]
* [[Lesley Ann Warren]]
}}
| cinematography = Steven Fierberg
| editing = Pam Wise
| music = [[Angelo Badalamenti]]
| studio = {{plainlist|
* Double A Films<ref name="latimes">{{cite news |last=Dargis |first=Manohla |author-link=Manohla Dargis |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-20-et-dargis20-story.html |title=In Buoyant 'Secretary,' Romance for Consenting Adults |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=September 20, 2002 |access-date=January 16, 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230117024235/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-sep-20-et-dargis20-story.html |archive-date=January 17, 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>
* The Slough Pond Company<ref name="latimes"/>
* TwoPoundBag Productions<ref name="latimes"/>
}}
| distributor = [[Lions Gate Films]]<ref name="latimes"/><ref name="AFI">{{cite web |title=Secretary (2002) |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Catalog/MovieDetails/62551?cxt=filmography |website=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]] |access-date=July 30, 2018}}</ref>
| released = {{Film date|2002|1|11|[[Sundance Film Festival|Sundance]]|2002|9|20|United States}}
| runtime = 107 minutes
| country = United States
| language = English
| budget = $4 million<ref>{{cite web |title=Secretary (2002) |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Secretary#tab=summary |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |access-date=July 30, 2018}}</ref>
| gross = $9.3 million<ref name="BOM"/>
}}
'''''Secretary''''' is a 2002 American [[Erotic film|erotic]] [[Romance film|romantic]] [[comedy-drama]] film directed by [[Steven Shainberg]] from a screenplay by [[Erin Cressida Wilson]], based on the 1988 short story of the same name by [[Mary Gaitskill]].<ref name="AFI"/><ref>{{cite book |last=Gaitskill |first=Mary |author-link=Mary Gaitskill |title=Bad Behavior |___location=New York |publisher=[[Poseidon Press]] |year=1988 |isbn=9780671658717}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=October 31, 2002 |title=Secretary leaves movie-goers bent over desks |url=https://www.jhunewsletter.com/article/2002/10/secretary-leaves-movie-goers-bent-over-desks-61118 |newspaper=[[The Johns Hopkins News-Letter]]}}</ref> Starring [[Maggie Gyllenhaal]] and [[James Spader]], the film explores the intense relationship between a [[Dominant (BDSM)|dominant]] lawyer and his [[Submissive (BDSM)|submissive]] secretary, who indulge in various types of [[BDSM]] activities such as [[erotic spanking]] and [[petplay]].
==Plot==
Lee Holloway is the socially awkward and emotionally sensitive youngest daughter of a [[dysfunctional family]]. After having been committed to a mental hospital following an extreme incident of self-harm, she attempts to readjust to normal life.
Lee learns to type and applies for a job as a secretary for an eccentric yet demanding attorney, E. Edward Grey. Grey explains she is overqualified for the job, having scored higher than anyone he has ever interviewed, and warns her that it is "very dull work" as they only use typewriters; Lee, however, agrees to work under these conditions as she "likes dull work".
Though at first Grey appears to be highly irritated by Lee's [[Typo|typos]] and other clerical errors, it soon becomes apparent that he is sexually aroused by her obedient behavior. When Grey discovers her propensity for self-harm, he confronts her and commands that she never hurt herself again. One day, Grey makes her bend over his desk and spanks her after she makes a spelling error in a letter; Lee finds herself excited by the ordeal.
The two soon embark on a [[BDSM]] relationship from their typical employer–employee dynamic. Lee experiences a sexual and personal awakening through the sadomasochistic sexual encounters with Grey and falls deeply in love with him. Conversely, Grey displays insecurity concerning his feelings for Lee, as well as shame and disgust over his sexual habits. He begins to withdraw from her, despite her intentionally continuing to make typing errors in the hopes of receiving more corporal punishment.
During this period of exploration with Grey, Lee also attempts to have a more conventional relationship with family friend Peter. She engages in lukewarm sex with him, during which he is confused by her desire to be spanked. After Lee sends Grey an envelope with a worm in it, he bends her over his desk and makes her remove her skirt and underwear, then masturbates behind her and ejaculates onto her bare legs. Following this encounter, Grey fires Lee.
Peter later proposes to Lee, who reluctantly accepts. However, while trying on her wedding gown, she flees and runs to Grey's office to declare her love for him. Grey, still uncertain about their relationship, tests Lee by commanding her to sit in his chair without moving her hands or feet until he returns. Lee willingly complies, despite being forced to [[Omorashi|urinate in her dress]] since she is not allowed to use the toilet.
Hours pass as several family members and friends individually visit Lee to alternately attempt to dissuade or encourage her while Grey watches from afar, completely taken by Lee's compliance. Her refusal to leave the office, believed to be a [[hunger strike]], draws media attention.
Three days later, Grey returns to the office and takes Lee upstairs, where he bathes and feeds her. The pair marry and happily continue their dominant–submissive relationship.
==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
* [[James Spader]] as E. Edward Grey
* [[Maggie Gyllenhaal]] as Lee Holloway
* [[Jeremy Davies]] as Peter
* [[Patrick Bauchau]] as Dr. Twardon
* [[Stephen McHattie]] as Burt Holloway
* [[Oz Perkins]] as Jonathan
* [[Jessica Tuck]] as Tricia O'Connor
* [[Amy Locane]] as Lee's sister
* [[Lesley Ann Warren]] as Joan Holloway
* Michael Mantell as Stewart
* [[Sabrina Grdevich]] as Allison
* [[Ezra Buzzington]] as typing teacher
}}
==Production==
Many changes were made from Mary Gaitskill's original short story, which was significantly expanded and given greater depth to be made into a feature-length film. Lines of dialogue were changed; Lee's statement "I'm so stupid" became the fantasy-sequence cry "I'm your secretary", which the director thought far more "celebratory".<ref name="Shainberg, Steven 2004">Shainberg, Steven (2004), audio commentary to ''Secretary''.</ref> Additionally, the ending of the story was changed to give a more positive outcome to the relationship. Steven Shainberg stated that he wished to show that BDSM relationships can be normal and was inspired by the film ''[[My Beautiful Laundrette]]'', which he feels normalized gay relationships for audiences in the 1980s.<ref>Shainberg, Steven, Andrew Fierberg, Amy Hobby, Erin Cressida Wilson, James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jeremy Davies, et al. 2003. (''Secretary'') "Behind the Secretary". [United States]: Studio Home Entertainment.</ref>
A central component to the film, the office spaces of Edward and Lee, took form after two years of planning by Shainberg and production designer Amy Danger, who had collaborated with Shainberg on several projects.<ref name="Calhoun">John Calhoun. (2002, October). Spank You Very Much. Entertainment Design, 36(10), 8-10. Retrieved April 1, 2011, from Research Library Core. (Document ID: 204894041).</ref> The desire to have the office feel homemade and express Edward's interest in the growing of plants led Danger to juxtapose a natural decor in the office with a predominantly artificial outside world.<ref name="Calhoun"/> Speaking of her choices, Danger compares the office with the rest of the film's locations: "All the materials I used [in the office] were natural: natural wood, bamboo, ironwork ... If I wasn't using natural materials, it was natural colors, like [in] the botanical wallpaper." In contrast, "everything [in the larger world] was fake ... I covered Lee's house in plastic sheeting, and used artificial, manufactured colors."<ref name="Calhoun"/>
Although the interior sets were carefully constructed, the filmmakers did face some ___location-related challenges. Notably, in one instance the filmmakers accidentally obtained shooting rights for the wrong park. Gyllenhaal encouraged them to hastily shoot the required park scene anyway, without permission, while crew members distracted the local police.<ref name="Shainberg, Steven 2004"/>
Speaking about ''Secretary''{{'}}s tone and atmosphere, Danger says "With this S&M material, we could go into a dark place... Steve and I wanted the total opposite: that the nature of this relationship freed [the characters] to be their natural selves."<ref name="Calhoun"/> Because of this atmosphere, Danger says "Everybody kept saying, 'When are we going back to the office?' It was funny, because the rooms weren't any smaller in the house, and it wasn't any more difficult to shoot. It was because you wanted to be in that space."<ref name="Calhoun"/>
=== Filming ===
Despite being set in [[Florida]], filming took place in [[Los Angeles]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2022-11-05 |title=Secretary (2002) |url=https://filmoblivion.com/2022/11/05/secretary-2002/ |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=Film Oblivion}}</ref>
==Release==
===Theatrical===
The film premiered at the 2002 [[Sundance Film Festival]], where it won a Special Jury Prize Award for Originality for Steven Shainberg.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2002-09-17 |title=REVIEW: Not Your Average "Secretary"; Shainberg's S&M Swooner Gets the Job Done |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2002/09/review-not-your-average-secretary-shainbergs-sm-swooner-gets-the-job-done-80208/ |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=[[IndieWire]]}}</ref> It was subsequently acquired by [[Lions Gate Films]] for theatrical release.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Dunkley |first=Cathy |date=2002-02-12 |title=Lions Gate promotes Shainberg's 'Secretary' |url=https://variety.com/2002/film/news/lions-gate-promotes-shainberg-s-secretary-1117860577/ |access-date=2023-01-07 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> It also went on to screen at the [[2002 Toronto International Film Festival|Toronto International Film Festival]] later that year.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Secretary (2002) Awards & Festivals |url=https://mubi.com/films/secretary/awards |access-date=2022-01-07 |website=[[Mubi (streaming service)|Mubi]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=MacDonald |first=Gayle |date=2002-09-19 |title=James Spader assumes the position |newspaper=[[The Globe and Mail]] |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/james-spader-assumes-the-position/article4139277/ |url-access=registration |access-date=2023-01-07}}</ref> The film opened in limited release in the United States on September 20, 2002, as well as in various foreign markets in 2003 and 2004.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="BOM" />
===Home media===
The film's [[DVD region code|region 1]] [[DVD]] was released on April 1, 2003.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Kipnis |first=Jill |date=2003-03-22 |title=Painful Romance |volume=15 |pages=69 |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |issue=12 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fw8EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA69}}</ref> In the UK, a version by Tartan Video was released on January 5, 2004, followed by a budget edition by Prism Leisure on February 7, 2005.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Secretary'' – Releases |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/secretary-v261189/releases |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=[[AllMovie]]}}</ref> A [[Blu-ray Disc]] was released on October 4, 2010.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2010 |title=Secretary Blu-ray Review |url=https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/3739/secretary.html |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=High Def Digest}}</ref>
Special features on the Blu-ray include the film's [[Film trailer|trailer]] and [[TV spots]], cast and director interviews, a behind-the-scenes documentary, cast and director "[[Résumé|Curricula Vitae]]" and an [[audio commentary]] by director Steven Shainberg and writer Erin Cressida Wilson.<ref name=":1" />
==Reception==
{{Expand section|date=January 2025}}
===Critical response===
On the [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film holds an approval rating of 77% based on 155 reviews, with an average rating of 6.8/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Maggie Gyllenhaal impresses in this romantic comedy with a kinky twist."<ref>{{rotten-tomatoes|secretary|Secretary}}</ref> {{Metacritic film prose|63|39|access-date=9 January 2025}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Secretary |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/secretary/ |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=[[Metacritic]]}}</ref> Many critics noted the film's original take on themes of [[sadomasochism]], with [[Roger Ebert]] saying that the film "approaches the tricky subject ... with a stealthy tread, avoiding the dangers of making it either too offensive, or too funny".<ref>{{cite news |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |date=September 27, 2002 |title=Secretary |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/secretary-2002 |access-date=2022-01-07}}</ref> [[Ain't It Cool News]] commented: "Perhaps there is something bold about saying that pain can bring healing as long as it's applied by the right hand, but even that seems obvious and even normal thanks to Gyllenhaal."<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=September 10, 2002 |title=MORIARTY Pretends To Be In TORONTO!! Reviews SECRETARY!! |url=http://legacy.aintitcool.com/node/13237 |access-date= |website=[[Ain't It Cool News]]}}</ref>
===Box office===
The film grossed $4.1 million in the United States and Canada, and $9.3 million worldwide.<ref name="BOM">{{cite web |title=Secretary (2002) |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0274812/ |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=February 17, 2025}}</ref>
===Controversy===
The film's exploration of a BDSM romantic relationship and Spader's character bearing the last name "Grey" have drawn comparisons to the ''[[Fifty Shades of Grey]]'' franchise, with some suspecting the former inspired the [[E. L. James]] series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Antone |first=Tiffany |date=2015-01-28 |title=Proof that Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader are the original Anastasia and Christian |url=https://www.sheknows.com/entertainment/articles/1070957/ways-fifty-shades-is-a-ripped-off-version-of-secretary/ |access-date=2023-01-24 |website=[[SheKnows]]}}</ref>
The film was criticized for idealizing a potentially abusive relationship, which begins without explicit consent, by Emily Kenway in [[LitHub]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://lithub.com/watching-secretary-20-years-later-post-metoo/ | title=Watching Secretary 20 Years Later, Post-#MeToo | date=23 March 2022 |access-date=6 March 2025}}</ref> and Adele Melander-Dayton in [[PopMatters]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.popmatters.com/132536-secretary-2496120173.html | title=For a Movie that Wants to Depict Fringe, 'Secretary' is Surprisingly Didactic » PopMatters | date=25 October 2010| access-date=6 March 2025 }}</ref>
==Accolades==
''Secretary'' was nominated for a number of awards and won several, with numerous wins for Maggie Gyllenhaal's breakthrough performance.
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
|-
! Award
! Category
! Nominee(s)
! Result
|-
| [[Artios Awards]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=2003 Artios Awards |url=https://www.castingsociety.com/awards/artios/2003 |access-date=2023-01-07 |publisher=[[Casting Society]]}}</ref>
| Outstanding Achievement in Feature Film Casting – Independent
| Ellen Parks
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Boston Society of Film Critics Awards 2002|Boston Society of Film Critics Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bostonfilmcritics.org/past-winners-2000s/ |title=BSFC Winners: 2000s |publisher=[[Boston Society of Film Critics]] |date=27 July 2018 |access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
| [[Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| [[Maggie Gyllenhaal]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[British Independent Film Awards 2003|British Independent Film Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bifa.film/awards/2003/winners-nominations/ |title=2003 BIFA Winners and Nominations |publisher=[[British Independent Film Awards]] |date=24 October 2003 |access-date=December 23, 2021}}</ref>
| colspan="2"| [[British Independent Film Award for Best International Independent Film|Best Foreign Independent Film]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Central Ohio Film Critics Association Awards<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cofca.org/awards-2002/ |title=Awards 2002 |publisher=Central Ohio Film Critics Association |access-date=August 24, 2021}}</ref>
| Best Actress
| Maggie Gyllenhaal
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 2002|Chicago Film Critics Association Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://chicagofilmcritics.org/awards-blog/archives |title=1988-2013 Award Winner Archives |publisher=[[Chicago Film Critics Association]] |date=January 2013 |access-date=August 24, 2021}}</ref>
| Most Promising Performer
| [[Maggie Gyllenhaal]] {{small|(also for ''[[Adaptation (film)|Adaptation]]'' and ''[[Confessions of a Dangerous Mind (film)|Confessions of a Dangerous Mind]]'')}}
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[Chlotrudis Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://chlotrudis.org/awards/past-awards/2003-9th-annual-awards/ |title=9th Annual Chlotrudis Awards |publisher=[[Chlotrudis Society for Independent Films]] |access-date=December 23, 2021}}</ref>
| Best Actor
| [[James Spader]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Actress
| Maggie Gyllenhaal
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Adapted Screenplay
| [[Erin Cressida Wilson]] and [[Steven Shainberg]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Deauville American Film Festival]]<ref name=":0" />
| Grand Prix
| Steven Shainberg
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[9th Empire Awards|Empire Awards]]
| [[Empire Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| rowspan="3"| Maggie Gyllenhaal
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Fantasporto]]
| Best Actress (Directors' Week Award)
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Florida Film Critics Circle Awards 2002|Florida Film Critics Circle Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.floridafilmcritics.com/2013/11/16/2002-ffcc-award-winners/ |title=2002 FFCC Award Winners |publisher=[[Florida Film Critics Circle]] |access-date=August 24, 2021}}</ref>
| Pauline Kael Breakout Award
| {{won}}
|-
| Golden Orange for Outstanding Contribution to Film
| [[Amy Hobby]] {{small|(also for ''[[Thirteen Conversations About One Thing]]'')}}{{efn|For consistent excellence and adventurousness in film production.}}
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Gold Derby Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.goldderby.com/2002-goldderby-film-awards/ |title=2002 Gold Derby Film Awards |website=[[Gold Derby]] |date=7 March 2016 |access-date=April 20, 2021}}</ref>
| Best Breakthrough Performance
| rowspan="2"| Maggie Gyllenhaal
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[60th Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/secretary |title=Secretary – Golden Globes |publisher=[[HFPA]] |access-date=July 5, 2021 |ref={{harvid|HFPA|2003}}}}</ref>
| [[Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Golden Trailer Awards]]
| colspan="2"| Best Romance
| {{won}}
|-
| colspan="2"| Trashiest
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Gotham Independent Film Awards 2002|Gotham Independent Film Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://awards.thegotham.org/past-recipients/ |title=Past Recipients |publisher=[[Gotham Awards]] |access-date=April 20, 2021}}</ref>
| [[Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Performer|Breakthrough Performer]]
| Maggie Gyllenhaal
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="3"| [[18th Independent Spirit Awards|Independent Spirit Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://s3.amazonaws.com/SA_SubForm_etc/2021_SA_ALLNomineesWinners_063021.pdf |title=36 Years of Nominees and Winners |publisher=[[Independent Spirit Awards]] |access-date=August 13, 2021}}</ref>
| colspan="2"| [[Independent Spirit Award for Best Film|Best Feature]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead|Best Female Lead]]
| Maggie Gyllenhaal
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Independent Spirit Award for Best First Screenplay|Best First Screenplay]]
| Erin Cressida Wilson
| {{won}}
|-
| Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lvfcs.org/sierra-award-winners.html |title=Previous Sierra Award Winners |publisher=Las Vegas Film Critics Society |access-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref>
| Best Actress
| Maggie Gyllenhaal
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Locarno International Film Festival]]<ref name=":0" />
| [[Golden Leopard]]
| Steven Shainberg
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[2003 MTV Movie Awards|MTV Movie Awards]]
| [[MTV Movie Award for Best Breakthrough Performance|Best Breakthrough Female Performance]]
| rowspan="6"| Maggie Gyllenhaal
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[National Board of Review Awards 2002|National Board of Review Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalboardofreview.org/award-years/2002/ |title=2002 Award Winners |publisher=[[National Board of Review]] |access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
| [[National Board of Review Award for Breakthrough Performance|Breakthrough Performance – Female]]
| {{won}}
|-
| [[2002 National Society of Film Critics Awards|National Society of Film Critics Awards]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalsocietyoffilmcritics.com/about-2/ |title=Past Awards |publisher=[[National Society of Film Critics]] |date=19 December 2009 |access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
| [[National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| {{draw|2nd Place}}
|-
| Online Film & Television Association Awards<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oftaawards.com/film-awards/7th-annual-film-awards-2002/ |title=7th Annual Film Awards (2002) |website=Online Film & Television Association |access-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref>
| Best Breakthrough Performance: Female
| {{won}}{{efn|Tied with [[Nia Vardalos]] for ''[[My Big Fat Greek Wedding]]''.}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Online Film Critics Society Awards 2002|Online Film Critics Society Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ofcs.org/awards/2002-awards-6th-annual/ |title=2002 Awards (6th Annual) |website=[[Online Film Critics Society]] |date=3 January 2012 |access-date=November 21, 2021}}</ref>
| [[Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Breakthrough Performance|Best Breakthrough Performance]]
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[Paris Film Festival]]
| Grand Prix
| Steven Shainberg
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Actress
| rowspan="5"| Maggie Gyllenhaal
| {{won}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards
| Best Actress in a Leading Role
| {{nom}}
|-
| Best Newcomer
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[San Diego Film Critics Society Awards 2002|San Diego Film Critics Society Awards]]
| [[San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[7th Golden Satellite Awards|Satellite Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2003.shtml |title=International Press Academy website – 2003 7th Annual SATELLITE Awards|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201175700/http://www.pressacademy.com/satawards/awards2003.shtml|archive-date=1 February 2008}}</ref>
| [[Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture|Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| [[List of Sundance Film Festival award winners#2002|Sundance Film Festival]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://history.sundance.org/events/37 |title=2002 Sundance Film Festival |publisher=[[Sundance Film Festival]] |access-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref>
| Grand Jury Prize – Dramatic
| rowspan="2"| Steven Shainberg
| {{nom}}
|-
| Special Jury Prize – Originality
| {{won}}
|-
| [[Toronto Film Critics Association Awards 2002|Toronto Film Critics Association Awards]]<ref name="TFCA Awards 2002">{{cite web|url=http://torontofilmcritics.com/blog/2002/12/21/tfca-awards-2002/|title=TFCA Awards 2002|publisher=torontofilmcritics.com|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101107043136/http://torontofilmcritics.com/blog/2002/12/21/tfca-awards-2002|archivedate=2010-11-07}}</ref>
| [[Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| rowspan="4"| Maggie Gyllenhaal
| {{Runner-up}}
|-
| [[Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards 2002|Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://vancouverfilmcritics.com/2003/01/30/3rd-annual-award-winners/ |title=3rd Annual VFCC Award Winners |publisher=[[Vancouver Film Critics Circle]] |date=30 January 2003 |access-date=January 30, 2003}}</ref>
| [[Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Village Voice Film Poll]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://mubi.com/awards-and-festivals/village-voice?year=2002 |title=2002 Village Voice Film Poll |website=[[Mubi (streaming service)|Mubi]] |access-date=July 5, 2021}}</ref>
| Best Lead Performance
| {{draw|6th Place}}
|-
| [[Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards 2002|Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wafca.com/awards/2002.htm |title=2002 WAFCA Awards |publisher=[[Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association]] |access-date=May 15, 2021}}</ref>
| [[Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]]
| {{Runner-up}}
|}
==Soundtrack==
The film's [[soundtrack album]] was released on [[CD]] on October 8, 2002, with an [[MP3]] download version released on July 11, 2006. The soundtrack album contains [[Angelo Badalamenti]]'s [[Film score|score]] as well as two songs that were notably featured over erotic montages in the film: [[Leonard Cohen]]'s "[[I'm Your Man (Leonard Cohen song)|I'm Your Man]]" and [[Lizzie West]]'s "Chariots Rise".<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Secretary'' (Music from the Motion Picture) |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/secretary-music-from-the-motion-picture--mw0000663015 |access-date=2023-01-07 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>
The song "Chariots Rise" was changed slightly for the film, with the lyric "what a fool am I, to fall so in love" changed to "''what grace have I'', to fall so in love".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tonti |first=Jessica |date=2005-11-07 |title=Largely overlooked songstress steers a mean chariot |url=https://pittnews.com/article/31027/archives/largely-overlooked-songstress-steers-a-mean-chariot/ |access-date=2023-01-07 |newspaper=[[The Pitt News]]}}</ref>
; Track listing
All tracks by Angelo Badalamenti unless otherwise stated.
# "[[I'm Your Man (Leonard Cohen song)|I'm Your Man]]" – [[Leonard Cohen]]
# "Main Title"
# "Feelin' Free"
# "Snow Dome Dreams"
# "Bathing Blossom"
# "Seeing Scars"
# "Loving to Obey"
# "Office Obligations"
# "The Loving Tree"
# "Orchids"
# "Secretary's Secrets"
# "Chariots Rise" – [[Lizzie West]]
==See also==
* [[Sadism and masochism in fiction]]
* [[Nudity in film]]
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==Bibliography==
* {{cite book |last=Wilson |first=Erin Cressida |title=Secretary: A Screenplay |___location=Brooklyn, NY |publisher=Soft Skull Press |year=2003 |isbn=1887128190 |oclc=51871078}}
==External links==
* {{IMDb title}}
{{Steven Shainberg}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Secretary}}
[[Category:2002 films]]
[[Category:
[[Category:2002 romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:2000s American films]]
[[Category:2000s English-language films]]
[[Category:2000s sex comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American erotic romance films]]
[[Category:American independent films]]
[[Category:American romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:American sex comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:BDSM in films]]
[[Category:English-language independent films]]
[[Category:English-language romantic comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:English-language sex comedy-drama films]]
[[Category:Films about dysfunctional families]]
[[Category:Films about self-harm]]
[[Category:Films based on American short stories]]
[[Category:Films directed by Steven Shainberg]]
[[Category:Films scored by Angelo Badalamenti]]
[[Category:Films set in Florida]]
[[Category:Films shot in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lionsgate films]]
[[Category:Sundance Film Festival award–winning films]]
[[Category:Workplace comedy films]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Erin Cressida Wilson]]
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