by John Villeneuve
During the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s Argentina endured a multitude of military coups d’état (minus the short Perón period that lasted a few months in 1973-1974). Under the stronghold of the military junta, corruption was rife, no more so than in the judiciary, where loyalty to the top brass kept you safe, and may even allow you to commit the most egregious of crimes and walk away free. It is within this milieu that Argentina’s Foreign Film submission, The Secret in Her Eyes, takes place.
Told through a series of flashbacks, the film opens in the present day. A retired criminal justice officer, Benjamin Esposito (Ricardo Darin), is in the process of writing a novel about a thirty year old unsolved rape and murder case of a young school teacher. But before he can continue, he hopes to get the cooperation of the judge, Irene Hastings (Soledad Villamil), who was once his secretary, but who later became his boss, his confidant, and so much more. From there, the film zigzags through time between two love stories: one, the unrequited love of two colleagues, the other, a relationship destroyed by a horrendous murder.
But at the core of the film is the mysterious whereabouts and fate of the killer, who hangs over the proceedings like a dank towel. Unlike most thrillers, where the murderer is not revealed until the final moments, The Secret in Her Eyes unmasks the culprit, supposedly, at the midpoint, in two incredibly powerful scenes. The first involving his capture in an enormous, crowd-filled stadium—-which left me shaken—-and the second, in an interrogation room where the formidable Judge Hastings concocts a faux insult aimed at the detainee’s narcissism, hoping that he will reveal a vital clue that will prove his guilt. And boy does he ever (to those who have seen the film, I urge you to not disclose what transpires). However, because the psychopath is a loyal egg to the junta (he spies upon and unveils liberals and communists), he is released, to the extreme dismay of Esposito, Hastings, and the victim’s husband. Together, they each unravel in their own different ways.
Director, Juan José Campanella, is no stranger to the Academy. His film, Son of the Bride (El hijo de la novia), was nominated in 2001 for Foreign Language Film. But here, he has a much more difficult task. Keeping all of the elements of romance, mystery, thriller, and action, spinning like so many plates without dropping one is difficult, and Campanella succeeds almost completely. He does so by letting his themes of memory, secrecy, loss, and obsession take center stage. By doing so, it becomes clear that everyone involved in this investigation will be trapped in a melancholic, arid past, stunted to the possibilities available only to those who have learned to let go. Hence, there is a sadness, a psychic scar, that permeates Campanella’s film that anyone with a heartbeat will recognize.
Initially, when I saw this film at TIFF, I didn’t think it would have much of a chance at a nomination if submitted by Argentina. My mind is beginning to change on that point. Why? Because much like Guillaume Canet’s earlier film, Ne le dis à personne (Tell No One), Campanella’s film, too, tends to linger, to take up residence in the subconscious like a houseful of ghosts. And for a film about wanted and unwanted memories, the conundrum of their coexistence is clear, yet desultory. The solution and/or equilibrium lies with the rememberer. In essence, this hazy message may prove to be as unforgettable as Velcro for a, generally, myopic jury.
26 Responses for "The Secret in Her, His, Their Eyes"
Sounds sort of like the movie “The Official Story,” if it focuses on themes of memmory. The US’s involvement in that region during The Cold War is pretty detestable, so these movies about themes, such as this, always have a pretty strong affect on me.
Well, Kevin, this film almost hits the heights achieved by The Official Story (but, without a great central performance like Norma Aleandro’s.)
yeah i agree that it’s a very very strong contender coz the foreign jury LOVES this kind of movie. and it’s a good one too.
I’m proud of that film. Is breaking every single record here, in Argentina. Hope it gets in.
I love you published a review.
Wow, just watched it yesterday and it was very impressive.
As much I love argentinian films, really hope the film get noticed finally by the academy.
I believe there is a very good chance that you will get your wish, chatan and Damian.
I’ve only seen the first 20 minutes so I’ll be back when I catch up. It’s got lots of depth and velvety style, is all I can add right now.
Fantastic .
Nice Film, Good Screenplay, Well Acting and Believable Shot!!
I Hope to See This Film in the Oscar Nominee List in February.
Now may be the TIME for The South America.
I liked it very much. The two mentioned sequences are among the best of the year.
Now, Ryan, how can you see 20 minutes and cut to say “I’ve seen 20 minutes, and so far is whatever”? Wait and give the entire impression!!
John, I guess you intend to see as many candidate films as you can. You can ignore Spain’s submission.
Yesss¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ At last a good film at the Oscars¡
I saw the film in Spain (I’m spanish) and the film it’s an argentinian and spanish production but it will go for Argentina, because our academy choose El Baile de la Victoria (by Fernando Trueba) that it’s not getting very good reviews…
But, The Secret Of Her Eyes it’s a masterpiece or near. Very, very good film, very, very moving. I think that has to be nominated (I’m sure it will be) and has strong possibilities to win (this or The White Ribbon by Haneke, but I think that this will win)
And this will be a really deserved Oscar
i saw the white ribbon and it’s not really academy’s cup of tea. i doubt it’ll even be nominated.
For years now there has always been a major snub, and I believe this year it will be either A Prophet or The White Ribbon that gets ignored. So a, you may be right.
Everyone’s loving this movie; I think it’s making the top 5 for sure. It’s certainly a bit more complex than your average thriller and it has a sense of intimacy and boldness amidst all the technical bravado involved. But it’s also more than a little hokey and obvious regarding the points it want to make, it’s Hollywoodized in all the wrong bits, and it really isn’t saying the very deep things about memory it thinks it is saying.
Then again, the acting is good to great, the technical aspects are all errific, and it’s a likable film. All of which makes me think it will be a success with Oscar.
after watching it, i feel it’s this year’s “the lives of others.”
PLEASE, SEE THIS MOVIE SASHA, KRIS AND EVERY CRITIC.
WATCH THIS SCENE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtgT2CfPiLA.
It worth the ticket.
It’s an incredible film….
It totally deserves the nomination
Any word on a U.S. release? Cause I definitely am interested in checking this out.
It’s slated for a 2010 release. The exact date will be determined by whether or not it gets nominated.
Everybody says it´s great.
But, is have two potential winners in my heart: I KILLED MY MOTHER and THE WHITE RIBBON.
There´s no space for three.
i killed my mother: too edgy.
the white ribbon: too cold.
snub expected.
A great film. It really derserves the Oscar. Watch this amazing scene: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hffLoBKeHWk
Ricardo Darin belongs on any list of actors of the decade.
good review, though there’s a mistake. the murderer getting free is during a democratic government, not during the junta. the movie is very clear about that, the director shows the killer being released during isabel peron’s government, not during the junta. the junta comes after the guy is released from prison.
I just can say that “El secreto de sus ojos (The secret in their eyes)” is one of the best pictures I ever see, is one of that movies that, when you leave the theater, remains in a corner of your mind and you can’t avoid that the scenes (and feelings, and questions) comes again and again to your head…
Obviously I would like that El Secreto… wins an Oscar, because I’m from Argentina and my heart is with it, but… the more I desire is that all people can view it because is really a jewel.
And, at least for all those who say “that movie is the better” or “that must win”. You can’t compare one movie whith another one that you haven’t saw!! Please go to theater and see all the candidates before write your opinion or vote!!
As yet I could not see all candidates, then I can’t make my list. I just can express my deepest desire with this movie.
Most of u were right… it´s between the 5 finalists… All my friends were telling me during 3 months to see The Secret Of Her Eyes, but I refused it many times, till I said yes. Brilliant film, absolutely well thought.. Hope it wins the Oscar, it would be fair…
@ Ernest
Though I liked The Secret of Her Eyes, there are 3 other films nominated that are much, much more worthy of a win.
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