I saw Secretary and enjoyed it. However the protagonist is shown to have deep psychological problems and Spader's character has some serious flaws as well. This sort of implies that only psychologically damaged people are into BDSM.

I was left wondering about that too. It was presented in a way that they looked to BDSM for healing. At least, that was my take on it. I'd guess that sums about about 1/4 of the people into kink. It would be fun to have a movie come that doesn't take that route. In fact, it is surprising that a series hasn't come out along those lines.

I would like some day to see Polanski's Venus in Fur which is based on a play loosely inspired by Sacher-Masoch's (in)famous novella. I was tempted to see the play when it was on Broadway a few years ago but didn't. There is an Australian film called My Mistress that intrigues me as well.

I've got to check this out. Thanks for the information.

Lastly I will bring up 9 1/2 Weeks. It is somewhat realistic (it is based on a woman's memoirs). I remembered that when I first saw it I had high expectations but was a bit disappointed by its BDSM element which could've been a little more overt. I found it to be a bit of a tease and not in a good way. Years later I watched it again. I still found it to be a tease but I was also disturbed by what seemed to be a vaguely antisexual tone to the last quarter of the film.

It has been years since I've seen that movie. I so love Kim Basinger. I've got to see that again.