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Plot Summary
Lee Holloway (Maggie
Gyllenhaal) returns to her family after her stay at a mental institute.
She learns to type and finds a job as a secretary to lawyer, E. Edward
Grey (James Spader). Nervous and having low self worth, Lee cannot handle
the pressures of her life and resorts to extreme, unhealthy measures in
order to relieve stress. Her controlling employer observes her weaknesses
and he becomes increasingly domineering towards her. The sadomasochistic
relationship that develops is a substitute for her previous addictions.
In this dominant-submissive sexual relationship, Lee appears to
become more confident and her self-esteem rises.
Review
When I went to see this
film, more than a handful of people left the cinema within the first
half-hour and didn't return. The
risqué sexual dominant-submissive relationship introduced in this film
probably proved a source of embarrassment or disapproval for them.
However, one woman’s poison is another’s pleasure and this was
proven as one woman in our audience obviously found the film hilarious.
Everyone else must have been either enduring the show or silently
smirking.
It is hard
to see the goal of this film besides introducing a taboo subject into
mainstream cinema. The issue of such relationships is not investigated in
any depth in this film. It seems purely to be a film for those who would
enjoy laughing at something that seems a bit naughty and otherwise the
story seems pointless. It may be attempting to put across the point that
such a relationship can be healthy for both parties.
If this is the case, it may have been better to begin the story
with two slightly more mentally balanced people, thereby giving more
weight to the "consenting adult" argument.
The performance of the two
main actors is good and with a more interesting script they could have
made a good film. It is somewhat interesting to see how the relationship
between Lee and Mr. Grey will develop and end up.
The film again suffers
from the script with the introduction of sub-characters and sub-plots that
have been pointlessly included in the film, as they add nothing to the
story.
Bottom Line: This film
will appeal to those who like risqué humour or if you like the idea of
breaking down taboo subjects through naughty humour.
Reviewed by Niamh Fox,
Premier
Movie Reviews 2003
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