Mr Maverick hits the spot

SECRETARY Director Steven Shainberg, certificate 18, general releaseJonathan Ames

Much has already been written about Steven Shainberg's controversial film, and law firm partners the length and breadth of the country have probably already received the pop-up postcard the publicists eagerly distribute to film-goers as they leave cinemas.

And there is much to write about - yes, it is hugely squirm making, if not outright shocking; and yes, it very much challenges general perceptions of acceptable sexual behaviour and relations; and importantly, it doesn't shy away from tackling conventional wisdom in relation to so-called psychological abnormalities.

But from a lawyer's perspective, one of the most intriguing elements of the film is the attitude of the central character, Florida-based sole practitioner Mr Grey, superbly played by James Spader.

Mr Grey is a lawyer who is either so nimble and adept at employment law that he has been able to dodge countless allegations of sexual harassment - especially as he practises in the capital of all compensation cultures - or he is completely ignorant of his legal position, and what's more he just doesn't care.

Either way, you've got to be fascinated by him if you don't necessarily admire him.

To cut to the chase, Mr Grey - whose plush offices are a million miles removed from the rough-and-ready surroundings of many high street solos on this side of the Atlantic - has a vacancy for a secretary.

Indeed, it would appear that Mr Grey has something of a high turnover in that area.

Young, impressionable Lee (Maggie Gyllenhaal) has just been released from a psychiatric clinic where she has been treated unsuccessfully for a chronic tendency to self-harm.

She attends a vocational course, learns to type and then lands the job at Grey & Co.

It doesn't take long for both to realise that the other is far from conventionally well-adjusted.

What develops is an at times stressful - but always consensual - sado-masochistic relationship between lawyer boss and secretary.

Indeed, as the thrust of the script is to take head on society's views on acceptable relationships - whether between lovers or between employer and employee - it is vital to the theme that Mr Grey is a lawyer.

Being so reinforces the contrast between the traditional and the non-conventional.

Arguably, the film-makers lose their bottle at the end.

Nonetheless, the last frame is easily one of the best and most challenging of the film.

And a word to the wise from the Gazette to lawyer readers - don't try this at the office.