Following a failed suicide attempt and subsequent stay in a psychiatric hospital, young Lee (Maggie Gyllenhaal) returns to the stifling suburb where her family lives. Back in her old environment, she also resumes her old, self-destructive habits. To break out of the situation, she takes a job as a secretary for lawyer Edward Grey (Spader). What starts out as dull work for an eccentric boss soon blossoms into a passionate dominant-submissive love affair. Edward finds their growing codependency unhealthy and fires Lee. But Lee has never been happier and will not give up that easily...