Short Stories into Movies: Secretary and Bad Behavior

Introduction

The movie, “Secretary,” is a 2002 drama movie by Steven Shainberg. The movie is based on Mary Gaitskill novel, “Bad Behavior.” The story is about a woman who has recently come home from a mental hospital. In this paper, the story and the movie will be compared and contrasted.

Discussion

The story starts with Lee Holloway, the youngest daughter of a dysfunctional family, who is sensitive emotionally and awkward socially, coming home from a mental hospital after a dangerous incident of self-harm. She tries to adjust to the everyday life and decides to look for a job (Gaitskill, pp. 20). She also starts dating a guy from high school named Peter. She soon gets a job for an eccentric attorney, named Edward Grey, as his secretary. Grey hires Lee even though she has an unprofessional appearance and wooden social skills.

Lee makes different typos, and mistakes which make Grey angry and he punishes her severely. Although, initially Grey seems to be really mad at Lee for making such typos and mistakes, however, in the end it becomes clear that he gets aroused by such behavior of hers. Lee, too, seems to enjoy Grey's spanking. Gradually, Grey confronts her about her habit of self- harming and orders her not to harm herself anymore. After this confrontation, they start a sexual relationship. Due to this relationship, Lee experience a personal awakening and starts to fall in love with Grey. However, Grey has some reservations about their relationship and shows disgust and shame over their sexual habits. After their first intimate actions which take place in his office, Grey fires Lee. Lee begs him not to fire her, but he refuses. Lee has no other option than leaving the office.

All through the relationship between Lee and Grey, Lee kept on her relationship with Peter, as well. After the termination of Lee, Peter proposes to her and asks her to marry him, to which she agrees. While trying on the we3dding gown, Lee hurries towards the office of Grey and confesses her love towards him. Grey is still reluctant about their relationship and decides to test Lee. He orders her to keep sitting in a chair without moving until he returns. Lee complies immediately. Days pass by without any sign of Grey and Lee continues to sit on the chair without moving. Lee's family, acquaintance and even Peter try to ...