The subject matter of this film is not for everyone, and it may take a while for the younger generation to grasp a great deal of it, but if you want to see a young actress display her craft, this is the film to watch.
The film can grab you on several levels, and in my view, a few fall flat. But what is most riveting is the character of Maggie that goes from 'mouse' to 'dominant' thanks to a very unconnected boss played by the wonderful James Spader.
This is just my view: but the way I saw this was that Maggie had a nervous breakdown and was put into a treatment center that didn't treat her. Her family was as dysfunctional as they come (Alcoholic and abusive dad, nervous mom, overachieving beautiful sister who marries an unemployed loser...), and most importantly, Maggie was lost in all of this. Maggie was non-existent in her family. When you're like that, she did what she thought she could do to GAIN attention and that was to hurt herself -- by cutting herself, burning herself.
Maggie gets out of the treatment facility only to come home and be faced with everything that put her in there in the first place. But she takes a community college class in typing and goes out in the world. She lands a job with the strangest boss you can imagine.
What makes this film interesting is that this job and boss becomes the BEST treatment for HER. Maggie finds an inner voice and herself within this strange relationship. No matter how Maggie tries to "fit in" with the normal route (She does acquire a boyfriend, and they kinda plan marriage), it's this secretary and boss arrangement that IS Maggie's destiny..as well as her boss's.
To be honest, this is also a look into 'dominance' and 'submissive' play in a relationship that transcends the bedroom -- it shows in the daily boss/secretary working relationship which by all accounts is taboo. That's another factor of this movie that keeps your interest on some level -- and that level is all dependent upon how open your mind can be.
But enough about that, the wonderful thing about this film is Maggie Gyllenhaal's performance and James Spader's performance. Excellent on both accounts, they make this so-so story watchable.
