La secrétaire

This is a very different kind of film, and it is probably not for everyone. The story is about a young woman, Lee (Maggie Gyllenhaal) with emotional problems who cannot find her place in the world. She is self-destructive. But when she sees the want ads one day, she is inspired to take her typing certification and seek office employment.

She meets an off-beat attorney, Mr. Grey (James Spader), who hires her. And they develop an unusual work relationship that becomes more personal.

Kudos to Ms. Gyllenhaal for a brave performance. Lee is complex but accessible for viewer understanding because of her wonderfully nuanced portrayal. Grey is not as transparent, and it feels like that is intentional. It would be interesting to ask viewers which character is more damaged/dysfunctional.

This is not comedy in the broad style, but a comedy of small moments. At the same time, it is incumbent on the viewer to recognize the pain and dysfunctions that are on the screen. The result is a thoughtful film.