Description

This week the dads work late for Steven Shainberg's Secretary (2002) — one of the more unusual love stories in American independent cinema, and almost certainly the most interesting thing James Spader has ever worn a tie for.

But first: a very thorough Top Five Secretaries list. Dolly Parton, Mad Men, Ghostbusters, Batman Returns, The Simpsons, Beetlejuice, Moneypenny through all her iterations, and the West Wing. It's a good one.

Top Five highlights:

• Doralee Rhodes (Dolly Parton) from 9 to 5
• Joan Holloway and Peggy Olson from Mad Men — a deliberate twofer
• Selina Kyle — Michelle Pfeiffer, one take with the whip, iconic
• Moneypenny through every era — Lois Maxwell to Naomi Harris
• Smithers from The Simpsons — unsalaried, devoted, above and beyond
• Miss Argentina, the green receptionist in the afterlife from Beetlejuice
• Dawn/Pam from the UK and US Office — both great, discussed together
• Mrs Landingham from The West Wing
• Miss Teschmacher from Superman

On the main feature:

• Dan tried to watch it with his family. The first scene resolved that very quickly.
• A surprisingly thoughtful and sensitive portrayal of BDSM — and why it works where 50 Shades doesn't
• Maggie Gyllenhaal and James Spader both doing career-best work
• Angelo Badalamenti's score — unusual, rhythmically strange, perfect
• Whether trading one form of self-harm for another is complex, or just complicated, or both
• The three-day chair scene — and why it's the emotional heart of the film

Also in this episode: a recent Wu-Tang Clan gig (GZA didn't show, QR codes were aggressively promoted), Barcelona, and Sidey's assessment of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Verdict: Strong recommend. Surprisingly tender. Genuinely unlike anything else.

Note: Adult content. Not suitable for family viewing. The dads learned this the hard way.

Cast & crew discussed: Maggie Gyllenhaal, James Spader, Angelo Badalamenti, Steven Shainberg

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