The Secret in Their Eyes (B+ or 3.5/4 stars)
'The Secret in Their Eyes' won Best Foreign Film of 2009 at this year's Oscars. White Ribbon & A Prophet were the favorites. But this Argentine thriller snuck in & won-over the voters. The film begins in 1999, where retired legal counselor Benjamin Esposito (Ricardo Darin) is writing a novel; using an old 'closed' murder case as the source material. Sharing his plans with Irene Menendez-Hastings (Soledad Villamil), the former boss he has secretly been in love with for 25 yrs., Benjamin's initial involvement with the murder case is shown through flashbacks, as he attempts to identify the killer. Said case is the grotesque, unresolved 1974 rape/murder of Liliana Coloto. In addition to seeing the grief of the victim's husband, Ricardo Morales (Pablo Rago), Benjamin, his drunk assistant, Pablo (Guillermo Francella), & Irene were all personally affected by the case as Benjamin & Pablo tracked the killer.
You see, despite the corrupt judicial department already having 2 other suspects in mind, Benjamin & Pablo are certain that a man named Isidoro Gomez (Javier Godino) is the real killer. The case ends unsatisfactorily for all involved. And that is why Benjamin is writing his novel about the case 25 yrs. later. He can't shake it. He also needs closure for the unreciprocated love with Irene. And his rejuvenated search for the truth gets him re-entangled in the mystery of the murder, the grief-stricken husband of the victim, Argentina's flawed judicial system from the 1970's, & proper justice for the actual killer. With Isidoro Gomez still at large, & no one knowing if he's dead or alive ... secrets unfold which give Benjamin some hope (however twisted those secrets may be).
Juan Jose Campanella directed & written (adapted from a novel) quite the movie, here. It is thorough, engrossing, & handily crafted. At 126 min. in length, he takes the time to set-up the plot, let us know the characters, give them some depth, & let the story grow in complexity. Yes, the crux of the story is a compelling murder mystery (with danger around every corner), but it also tells a solid love story. There's a balance. What are the odds of those 2 components happening in the same movie? In fact, because this film encompasses several genres (grisly murder, witty humor, melodrama, love), & because it does it so well, the film has stuck with me for an entire day after seeing it. Too many movies drizzle away 1 hour after afterwards.
Now, the manner in which the murder case is 'solved' might not sit well with some. I love it; but can see how others would be turned off by it. But the way in which the suspenseful puzzle comes together in the end (whether you like the outcome or not) is masterfully done. Speaking of masterful, there is a 6-minute sequence in the movie that's one of best looking & best filmed set pieces of the year; a tracking shot that starts in the sky, descends upon an enormous soccer game, & finishes after a breathless chase scene through the corridors of the stadium. The performances are great; especially from the man who plays Benjamin - hounded by murder memories & missed chances with Irene. The portrayals feel like real people; making the story that much more poignant & dramatically potent.
Negatives? Hmm, well, there aren’t many. I suppose there's no 'magnificence' to it. And I'd be lying if I didn't say that it's a difficult sit with the subtitles -- I watch many subtitled films that don't bother me. But this film is a challenge to watch because the characters talk often, & very quickly. You may find yourself trying to read, watch, & comprehend simultaneously - which can be frustrating; or unsettling. But the movie hooks you involuntarily, anyway. And for as intriguing as the murder case is, & as gentle as the love story is, it was nice to have the characters just let rip with a few moments of biting humor (with funny, colloquial dialogue), as well. So, yeah ... interesting murder story, tender performances, beautiful filmmaking, mired (minimally) by breakneck subtitled dialogue -- very good movie.
You see, despite the corrupt judicial department already having 2 other suspects in mind, Benjamin & Pablo are certain that a man named Isidoro Gomez (Javier Godino) is the real killer. The case ends unsatisfactorily for all involved. And that is why Benjamin is writing his novel about the case 25 yrs. later. He can't shake it. He also needs closure for the unreciprocated love with Irene. And his rejuvenated search for the truth gets him re-entangled in the mystery of the murder, the grief-stricken husband of the victim, Argentina's flawed judicial system from the 1970's, & proper justice for the actual killer. With Isidoro Gomez still at large, & no one knowing if he's dead or alive ... secrets unfold which give Benjamin some hope (however twisted those secrets may be).
Juan Jose Campanella directed & written (adapted from a novel) quite the movie, here. It is thorough, engrossing, & handily crafted. At 126 min. in length, he takes the time to set-up the plot, let us know the characters, give them some depth, & let the story grow in complexity. Yes, the crux of the story is a compelling murder mystery (with danger around every corner), but it also tells a solid love story. There's a balance. What are the odds of those 2 components happening in the same movie? In fact, because this film encompasses several genres (grisly murder, witty humor, melodrama, love), & because it does it so well, the film has stuck with me for an entire day after seeing it. Too many movies drizzle away 1 hour after afterwards.
Now, the manner in which the murder case is 'solved' might not sit well with some. I love it; but can see how others would be turned off by it. But the way in which the suspenseful puzzle comes together in the end (whether you like the outcome or not) is masterfully done. Speaking of masterful, there is a 6-minute sequence in the movie that's one of best looking & best filmed set pieces of the year; a tracking shot that starts in the sky, descends upon an enormous soccer game, & finishes after a breathless chase scene through the corridors of the stadium. The performances are great; especially from the man who plays Benjamin - hounded by murder memories & missed chances with Irene. The portrayals feel like real people; making the story that much more poignant & dramatically potent.
Negatives? Hmm, well, there aren’t many. I suppose there's no 'magnificence' to it. And I'd be lying if I didn't say that it's a difficult sit with the subtitles -- I watch many subtitled films that don't bother me. But this film is a challenge to watch because the characters talk often, & very quickly. You may find yourself trying to read, watch, & comprehend simultaneously - which can be frustrating; or unsettling. But the movie hooks you involuntarily, anyway. And for as intriguing as the murder case is, & as gentle as the love story is, it was nice to have the characters just let rip with a few moments of biting humor (with funny, colloquial dialogue), as well. So, yeah ... interesting murder story, tender performances, beautiful filmmaking, mired (minimally) by breakneck subtitled dialogue -- very good movie.