It's hard to know exactly where to come down on a movie like "Secretary."

On one hand, this independently produced comedy-drama has one of the more transcendent performances of the year, as Maggie Gyllenhaal solidifies her status as an Actress to Watch For. (Gyllenhaal's performance also equals or possibly betters some of those by her better-known brother Jake.)

But the film itself may leave you with an odd, unsettled feeling, if not a really bad taste in your mouth. Which is likely what the filmmakers intended, though its more unsavory aspects don't exactly make the movie an easy sell. ("Secretary" has already come under fire from feminists and women-rights advocacy groups who are not buying into the supposed empowerment-though-degradation thesis of its plot.)

Gyllenhaal stars as the title character, Lee Holloway, an unhappy twentysomething who's just been released from a mental institutionalization. She was there due to suicidal tenden- cies and a penchant for cutting herself.

With no small amount of prodding from her mother (Lesley Ann Warren), Lee resolves to be happy and starts down that road by going to secretarial school so she can find full-time employment. Upon graduation, Lee applies at the law offices of E. Edward Grey (James Spader), who gives her a job.

She's warned about her peculiar employer, who constantly berates Lee about her style of dress and the handful of spelling and grammatical errors she makes. And soon he has involved her in a rather sado-masochistic sexual relationship — which stands in stark contrast to the more normal but loveless relationship she's carrying on with a family friend (Jeremy Davies).

It's likely that, for most audiences, this story will not be as appealing as producer/director Steven Shainberg obviously thinks it is, and it doesn't help that Spader's attorney character doesn't emerge as very sympathetic. But it does feature some fine acting, especially by Gyllenhaal, who is quite believable as the confused and troubled Lee — and given some of the things her character does, it's certainly a brave performance.

"Secretary" is rated R for scenes of simulated sex and sex acts (some aberrant), sexual violence, full female nudity and occasional use of strong sex-related profanity and crude sexual slang terms. Running time: 111 minutes.

---

E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com