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The Secret in Their Eyes, Movie

The Secret in Their Eyes 2009

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This Argentinian thriller won the Best Foreign Film Oscar at the 2010 Academy Awards. It follows the interweaving personal lives of a team of state prosecutors on a 25-year-spanning manhunt. More

"Recently retired Benjamin (Ricardo Darin), a former criminal-court employee, has decided to write a novel based on a rape and murder that occurred 20 years ago - a crime he believes has never been solved. He shares his intentions with judge Irene (Soledad Villamil), for whom he has long carried a secret torch and who - for reasons which soon become clear - is unsure about the idea... Flashbacks set just before the late ’70s arrival of the military junta show an Argentina already in the grip of judicial corruption. The dead woman was the young wife of Morales (Pablo Rago); the two immigrant workers arrested for the crime have clearly been beaten into confessing. Roused to action, and aided by his drunken barfly colleague Sandoval (Argentinean comedian Guillermo Francella), Benjamin sets about identifying the real perpertrator, their clumsiness generating some wonderful comic business along the way." (Variety). Hide

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Flicks.co.nz Review

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Rebecca Barry Hill Flicks Writer

It’s rare that a film can carry multiple flashbacks without reminding its audience they’re sitting in the cinema. But The Secret in Their Eyes, the Argentine film that won this year’s Oscar for best foreign film, manages an effortless game of cat and mouse between the 1970s and the late 90s. It’s impossible not to get caught up in this epic tale of unresolved love and despair. More

It helps of course that this is a hugely gripping tale, a thriller poised on the edge of parallel stories. First is the unresolved case of a murdered young bride, the heartbroken husband who spends the rest of his life in the shadow of this devastation. The second is the unrequited love story between two former colleagues, now a judge and a state court criminal investigator, whose electrifying reunion after 25 years is entirely convincing thanks to outstanding performances from leads Ricardo Darin (as Benjamin Esposito) and Soledad Villamil (as Irene Menendez Hastings). Guillermo Francella as Esposito’s alcoholic partner adds levity to a story so deeply weighted in time and memory, as does the cynical office banter. The make-up department must also be praised for making it almost impossible to tell the actors’ real ages.

Juan Jose Campanella, best known for his work on American shows Law & Order: SVU and House, combines the romanticism of European film-making and the raciness of American police procedurals with aplomb; never does Argentina’s dirty political history interfere with the plot, except when the case is cruelly interrupted as the result of hair-ripping bureaucracy.

Ultimately, the viewer is left with the sense that time doesn’t necessarily heal wounds, that unresolved quandaries will forever shape our destinies. It’s a powerful piece of filmmaking that can so stylishly do that. Hide

The People's Reviews

Rating:

14 ratings and 14 reviews

All reviews (14)

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Very gripping and heart warming

Gaston Nobody (?)

Not only is the story compelling but also you can 'enjoy' the intensity of emotions through the main characters' eyes. Well worth watching....No wonder it got the Best Film in a Foreign language Oscar Award

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Fantastic movie

Weds_Loafers Flicks Superstar (?)

This is our movie of the year so far. The scene starting above the football stadium and ending up in the crowd has to be seen to be believed. A superb story, brilliantly acted and filmed. A great supporting character in Sandoval and nicely underpinned by the political situation in 1970s Argentina.

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One of the best movies I have seen in a long time

Seb Nobody (?)

The acting is perfect. The story is gripping.
You might want to read a very short summary about Argentina's history through the 70s to better understand the background of the movie though.

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Argentine classic

Marty Nobody (?)

The Spanish-speaking world continues its run of good form over the last decade and supplies one of the best mystery movies in ages.

Campanella sets an intoxicating scene as the film switches from a politically unstable and corrupt seventies Buenos Aires to the mildly improved noughties version, and he ramps up the suspense brilliantly as the movie progresses (including one breathtaking cinematic dive into Racing Club's home stadium during a soccer match).

Even the scenes delivering the romantic sub-plot are still highly watchable, although it's the sole criticism I have of the film that the romance angle was still scripted a little clumsily around the film's mid-point. Enough for me to deduct a star from an otherwise flawless picture.

As with all the best films this one leaves you thinking about it long afterwards. Highly recommended.

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No masterpiece, but solid

Arthur Nobody (?)

Intriguing throughout but - perhaps because my expectations were so high - not amazing.

Still, would recommend for sure.

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We're still talking about it

Paul Nobody (?)

One of the best films I've seen in ages. I read all the reviews, love a good crime story and went to see it with high expectations. We came away having been absorbed, intrigued and romanticised. It's mentally stimulating as you keep pace with the investigative plot, the highly believable and flawed characters develop well as you go back and forth in time and there are several laugh out loud moments that ease the tension back at the right times. And the underlying romantic theme and odd twist adds to the appeal. Hollywood hasn't got a clue how to make movies like this. Go see it.

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Best this year easily!

Gazza Nobody (?)

Fantastic multi layered storytelling at its best. Don't think of this movie being art house or somehow snobby. If you like thrillers with twists then check it out!!

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Stunning

Paul Nobody (?)

We found this film to be a complete suprise, gripping storyline and outstanding acting. A film that stayed with us for sometime after. We have recommended the film to others, they too have come away with the same comments. Best movie we have seen for a long time.

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Great film - shame it was a digitally projected DVD

Dave Nobody (?)

This film deserves every accolade, but Rialto - please top charging your patrons $15 to watch the same DVD they could watch in the comfort of their own lounge for a fraction of the price. It was distracting to be able to count the pixels in the subtitles while watching one of the best 'films' of the last 10 years. We pay to go to the cinema for the nostalgic experience of seeing film, not a digital powerpoint presentation.

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Rightly deserved an Oscar

P Nobody (?)

Was very skeptical about this movie as the plot seemed a bit basic, but was very suprised how intricate and absorbing the story was with a bit of a twist. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

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brilliant

mike Nobody (?)

European feel(argentian/spanish production) is fantastic with a more analytical approach to the story telling and a slower burn. Ultimately rewarded with an open ending but the themes of loss, regret and living in the past are strong. Easy to see why this was an Oscar winner. Probably the best movie I have seen for a couple of years.

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Press Reviews

Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)

This is a real movie, the kind they literally don't make very much anymore. Full review.

Hollywood Reporter

A riveting Argentine thriller spiked with witty dialogue and poignant love stories, "The Secret in Their Eyes" interweaves the personal lives of a team of state prosecutors with a manhunt spanning 25 years.... Full review.

NZ Herald (Peter Calder)

Engrossing and multilayered thriller. Full review.

Rolling Stone (USA)

The highest praise is due Darin and Villamil for letting the unspoken passion between these two characters play out in their eyes. You won't be able to take your own eyes off them, or to get this supremely intelligent and deeply touching thriller out of your head. Full review.

TV3 (Kate Rodger)

My expectations were high, and they were met. Full review.

TVNZ (Darren Bevan)

The Secret In Their Eyes will drag you in - it may take a little time to get going but once it's got its nails into you, it won't let go. Full review.

Variety (USA)

A deeply rewarding throwback to the unself-conscious days when cinema still strove to be magical, "The Secrets in their Eyes" is simply mesmerizing... Full review.