We saw Secretary last night and I really enjoyed it, though I must confess it kept me dumbfounded for quite awhile as I digested this tale. While I expected the kink, I wasn't expecting the romance and the complexity of the relationships. My one complaint was the movement between fantasy and reality - the cartoony elements of the flashing secretary sign, or the strangely ornate office, where somewhat distracting to me, as was the crowd of people at the discipline watch/media event.

But a day later the movie really struck with me, particularly the character of Mr. Grey, how he is contrasted with the absuive alcoholic father, and his compassion for trapped mice. His penchance for dominance, is his shield to his shyness and ultimately the way his sexuality is repressed. Still there is much we don't know about him - had he played this scenario before with all the previous secretaries? If so, to what extent? Where the roles reversed in his relationship with his ex? I don't know interesting and thought provoking.

I saw a movie on cable called 'Little Otik'. It was bizarre, to put it mildly. I found it on the Rotten Tomatoes list...no kidding. But it was interesting. The claymation.

Aw. Maybe Robin Williams has some sort of contract do to those movies?

Glad you liked it. Seems you liked it so much, it affected your typing ability ;) This one also stuck with me for quite a while afterwards and any reminder of it makes me smile.

What struck me about him is how it seemed he didn't even understand his dominant side. When you think of a dominant person, especially to that extreme, you tend to think of someone who is confident and in control, but here's a guy who is overall clueless about what he wants out of his sexuality and yet expresses it in a dominant way.

I thought that was actually one of the aspects that made it more realistic.

For sure. I didn't mean that was a bad thing, just an observation of his character.

God, I love that movie. I'm glad you finally saw it, €.

From my perspective, Mr. Grey was not the only character who had trouble understanding himself-- or mistaking one person for something they weren't. The movie was filled with confusion on all parts. Lee couldn't figure out how to take care of herself, or how to express herself sexually (initially.) Her father couldn't figure out how to function without alcohol. Lee's boyfriend understood himself, but was very much confused about who Lee was.

All of the characters were quite fascinating to me. And, actually, I enjoyed that dancing line between fantasy and reality. And I very much enjoyed watching two people who were so interestingly, deeply suited to each other grow beyond their limitations to accept that.

I guess I like a lot of movies about things that people don't do. Don't say. Don't realize. At least until the end of the movie; perhaps not even then. Secretary, Junebug, Little Miss Sunshine. These are a few of my favorite things.

I loved it. I love the complexity and the oddity, the resolve and acceptance. I didn't have an issue with the fantasy/reality blurring - I usually find I don't unless it is CGI and slaps me on the face, then I hate it. I thought both Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader were fantastic! Their characters were so fully formed and well expressed. I really had no expectations going into it other than a possibily I would feel turned off by the kink. But, it actually was quite a sexy film and didn't hit my level of fear and disgust I usually have with violent S&M. Wonderful film!


Maybe we'll continue the Gyllenhaal/Sex theme tonight with Brokeback.

Ok everyone else gets to watch all these cool intellectual movies and I'm stuck watching a double feature of Click and Bratz - Passion 4 Fashion Diamondz :rolleyes:

Who's paying for the electricity around there? Show some dominance! (But not in a James Spader way)