TORONTO -- It takes all kinds to make a go at romance, and Maggie Gyllenhaal is out to prove it.

For her first lead role, Gyllenhaal takes on the provocative black comedy "Secretary," playing a self-mutilating woman who finds the perfect match in her sadomasochistic new boss (James Spader).

Directed by Steven Shainberg, "Secretary" won a special prize for originality at last winter's Sundance Film Festival, where the 24-year-old Gyllenhaal was one of the most talked-about actresses.1. "Secretary" opens with a single-take shot of you with arms outstretched and immobilized in a yoke as you scoop up papers and coffee, then meander down the hall to the boss' office. How tough was it to move so gracefully stuck in that contraption?

Gyllenhaal: It was less hard than it looks. It came at the end of this 16-hour day where we just put me in the thing and practiced a little bit to figure out what I was going to do. We did it in about eight takes, which is pretty extraordinary considering all the things I had to do.2. How did you research a role as a self-mutilating sadomasochism enthusiast?

Gyllenhaal: Steve gave me all these books to read about S&M and people who cut themselves, which I diligently went through. What I realized about people who cut themselves is, it's one thing to say, 'Oh, they're these weird people doing this odd thing. It's got nothing to do with me.' In actuality, I think everybody hurts themselves, only in much more subtle ways.3. How are women reacting to a heroine whose turn-ons tend toward servility and subjugation?

Gyllenhaal: Most women I've talked to have been really moved by it because I think it's about somebody who's brave enough to acknowledge what she wants. ... The feminist movement has done all these amazing things for me and my generation in terms of lessening the gap between men and women.4. Any sibling rivalry between you and Jake?

Gyllenhaal: We're definitely very competitive. We're brother and sister, so of course we are. We fight, too, but we also really love each other, and we're really close.5. How do you choose your roles?

Gyllenhaal: I want my scripts to be about humans, and I want them to be provocative in some way, challenging something in the world.