Written: 2/20/25

4/5

Oh my god?!
An unsure start was well nurtured by an entertaining Maggie Gyllenhaal and all her awkward isms for her character, Lee Holloway. Lee is a shy and lonely girl, prone to impulsive reactions; she taps her feet, fidgets orally, and constantly sniffles. Oh and she has a sewing box containing iodine, a tool sharpener, and a wide array of sharp objects. 
To her advantage, she optimistically commands a spark for getting her life started. When she lands a secretary position for lawyer E. Edward Grey, she starts to see life through new eyes. 

The movie grows on you. Its whimsical nature juxtaposed by a constant freaky tension makes for some jaw dropping moments. I was especially keen to the moment on the bridge where Lee decides to throw her special box away. The way her hands slowly come up beneath the screen with the dull but saturated waters moving rhythmically. Amusing!
The technicolor office, the orchids and red sharpies, typewriters and letters, we are feasted to some pretty engaging visual cues. 

As for their relationship: bizarre.
He fixes her, she fixes him type situation done decently. Oh and it’s weird, like big time weird and utterly erotic while keeping a composure that remains tasteful. The only nude scene leans more towards figurative aesthetics than outright showing boob just to show boob. 
Lee and Mr. Grey’s relationship is questionable in the sense that we really only get Lee’s point of view and just a peek at Mr. Grey’s motives. Definitely some wanting more somewhere in the middle but pulled through enough by the end with a final test from Mr. Grey. 
More notably, the tension created felt to the max extent convincing. Some of the sexiest and most intimate scenes ever. A truly feral experience. 

Though I admittedly payed less attention to Mr. Grey, big props to James Spader for holding down this demanding role. Anytime the camera pointed to him he behaved just as bizarrely and entertaining as his counterpart. To say the least, it was effective.

Maggie Gyllenhaal is extraordinary. The perfect cast for this role. The film style perfectly emphasizes her rare beauty giving us time to study her facial movements. Mesmerized by the change of direction with the corners of her mouth or the longing sparkle in her eyes possessing the complex ability to become both naive and seductive. Bless the Gyllenhaal genes. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!