The Secret In Their Eyes El Secreto De Sus Ojos

Posted In: The Secret In Their Eyes

Eliana Dongo says...

'The Secret In Their Eyes' won an Academy Award for best Foreign Film in 2010. And, once you view this film, you will understand why, they don't make films like this anymore.



'The Secret in Their Eyes' opens with the meeting of Benjaminplayed by Ricardo Darin and Irene played by Soledad Villamil. Twenty five years ago, they both worked in the prosecutor's office in Argentina. Irene was a freshly minted lawyer from Cornell, and Benjamin was her assistant. There was an immediate attraction on Benjamin's part, but he let it go and turned to solving the cases put before him. The reason he is back after 25 years, is one case that bothered both of them. A young woman, was brutally murdered and two young men were tried for this crime. Through Benjamin's brilliant work, he and his alcoholic assistant Sandoval, played byGuillermo Francella,found the real killer. Benjamin is back because he wants to write a book about this case and needs Irene's assistance.



Juan Jose Campanella is the writer-director, he created an engrossing film. Campanella was a writer on the 'Law and Order' series, and brings with him the complex characterization so relevant in that series.He is able to interweave two stories, the murder case and the unrequited love of Benjamin and Irene. The twenty-five years in-between are shown in flashbacks, and we are constantly on edge as this film proceeds.



This thriller is such a deep and well researched film. The actors are impeccable and their characters come to life.

The murder brings the husband, the innocent men who are charged with the crime, the murderer and the prosecutor's office all to the fore. In the late 1970's and early 80's , political corruption was rife in Argentina. It spilled over to the legal system, and in particular involved Benjamin. He was not well liked by others because of his search for truth and justice. The system is not fair and imperils Benjamin's life. Years later he returns and is determined to set things right by writing the truth. A biting, relevant film that will have you in tears. So well done, this is indeed the best film of the year.





Highly Recommended.prisrob 10-06-10



Juan Jos

Posted on September 28, 2010

Merna Pecinovsky says...

I agree with all the previous reviewers that this is a superb film, even though my vote for best film of the year would had been for "White Ribbon".



All the same the film is excellent; the actors are a joy to see; direction and photography are top rate. Again, I agree with all the comments about the actors in this film, but one actor that I particularly liked was Pablo Rago as the husband of the murdered woman. He was excellent, especially in the last chilling sequence.Also, I didn't spot a mention on that incredible single-shot sequence in the stadium. A combination of Orson Welles with Alfred Hitchcock as the camera moves from an aerial view of the stadium to the single spectator not following the football game.



The most intriguing aspect of the film comes at that final sequence where all the moral dilemmas of crime, punishment, revenge, right, wrong, etc etc come to a head without any easy or moralistic talk from the filmmakers.



Highly recommended.

Posted on September 30, 2010

Hermila Cazeau says...

Director Juan Jose Campanella has authored many outstanding films as "Luna de Avellaneda" (Moon of Avellaneda) (2004), "El Hijo de la Novia" (The Son of the Bride) (2001), "El Mismo Amor la Misma Lluvia" (Same Love, Same Rain) (1999) and finally the present "El Secreto de Tus Ojos" (The Secret in Their Eyes) (2009).

With these films he has won 36 awards and 18 nominations all around the world!

He is a solid narrator; his films have definitely an Argentinean flavor and at the same time express universal human emotions and recognizable values.

His opuses are first of all entertaining and deal with everyday issues: mother-son relations, the effort of some neighbors to save a small Social Club from being erased and love stories. Over this backdrop Campanella skillfully play with his endearing characters.



"The Secret in Their Eyes" is a crime story, the efforts to discover and capture the criminal and finally, when official justice fails, revenge and retribution. At the same time there is a love story, some very funny comedic scenes and some very brutal ones.



The story follows: in a small downtown apartment a young woman is raped and murdered. Benjamin Esposito is the Court investigator assigned to the case and unusual gory crime scene steels him into a fervent desire to discover and punish the criminal.

With the help of his boss, Court Secretary Irene Menendez Hastings, and dipsomaniac clerk Pablo Sandoval he solves the case against the opposition of Judge Lacalle.

Those were turbulent years in Argentina under military dictatorship and a strange combination of issues sends Benjamin into forced internal exile and the wrongdoer enters the police forces.

Many years after these events, the lives of the main characters cross again giving way to dramatic unexpected ending.



Ricardo Darin Campanella's fetish actor (he is the main male character in all the above mentioned films) fleshes Benjamin superbly showing a vast repertory of emotions. This is not a coincidence. Darin is IMHO one of the best Argentinean actors, able to perform dramatic or comedic characters with outstanding conviction.

Beautiful Soledad Villamil as Irene delivers a performance full of subtleties and strength. Guillermo Francella as dipsomaniac sidekick of Darin is unforgettable.



Cinematography is in charge of Brazilian Felix Monti who has won many awards with this film and with many others, totalizing 18 wins and 4 nominations, all well deserved.

Finally "The Secret in Their Eyes" has won the Best Foreign Language Film of the Year Oscar!



This is a great provoking film for adult audiences. Do not miss it you'll be delighted!



Reviewed by Max Yofre.

Posted on October 1, 2010

Hoa Pho says...

This film is a cinematic masterpiece in every sense, story, dialogue, characterization, casting, performances, cinematography...a pure delight of a genius filmmaker.



There is one shot that's totally amazing whereas the camera sees a long aerial view of a soccer stadium at night, then travels over the playing field with a game in progress, then continues outside into the massive crowd into a medium shot without a single cut! That's followed by a foot chase scene in the stadium whereas the prey is going one way, camera relentlessly moving in a different direction catching up with the pursued from a different angle, ending on the playing field. Both shots are unconventional and amazing, an education!



I sing this film's praises! Not to be missed.

Posted on October 3, 2010

Gricelda Yonce says...

Juan Jos

Posted on October 3, 2010

Dante Engelstad says...

This is a fantastic Drama. Love Story & Murder Mystery Drama that won't disappoint! Superb acting.It's in Spanish with English subtitles. Despite having to read subtitles, it a fasntastic movie and I see why it won such high acclaim.Audio and Video qualith is wonderful as well. A must have for your BD Colleciton.One of the better movies we have seen in some time.

Posted on October 6, 2010

Eldon Hynd says...

"The Secret in their Eyes" ("El secreto de sus ojos") was the Best Picture winner for Foreign Language Film at the Oscars this year. It was a big upset due to most people favoring "The White Ribbon" or "A Prophet" and left people asking, what is this film? It is a crime thriller interlaced with romance based on the novel by Eduardo Sacheri and was adapted for the screen by him and by director Juan Jos

Posted on October 7, 2010

Shakia Zabel says...

Benjamin Esposito (Ricardo Dar

Posted on October 8, 2010

Rodger Tubolino says...

This film has a slow start, but hang in there, it is worth it. About halfway through, events start unfolding. This movie brought out every emotion I think I have, and some I didn't even know I have. I was lucky in that no one spoiled the ending by telling me beforehand, so I confess I was very surprised at the ending, always a plus. All in all, this film makes me grateful to live in the United States, where the justice system is not perfect, but better than most. And the characters are compelling; you get sucked into these people's lives and you feel their powerlessness and you understand and agree with their decisions about how to deal with it all. I found myself asking, "What would I do if I were faced with this?" I highly recommend The Secret in Their Eyes, it is a fresh and original screenplay that works on every level as a film. I believe I will be thinking about The Secret in Their Eyes for a long time to come....it is that good. I believe it is worth watching a second and even a third time, so I'm glad I bought it instead of renting it.

Jeani Rector, Editor

The Horror Zine

Posted on October 10, 2010

Trista Deboe says...

Engrossing, suspenseful and a film from Argentina that exemplifies wonderful cinema, "The Secret in Their Eyes" is absolutely fantastic!



The Academy Award winner of "Best Foreign Film" of 2009, the film "El secreto de sus ojos" (The Secret in Their Eyes" is a film that I can't emphasize enough..."must be seen!".



Directed by Juan Jose Campanella ("Son of the Bride", "Avelleneda's Moon"), the award winning film is an adaptation ofEduardo Sacheri'snovel "La pregunta de sus ojos"and is Argentina's second biggest office success since the 1975 Leonardo Favio classic "Nazareno Cruz y el lobo" (Nazareno Cruz and the Wolf).





VIDEO:



"The Secret In Their Eyes" is presented in 1080p High Definition (2:35:1).The film is shot digitally and there is good emphasis on lighting and also how scenes were captured.Cinematography by Felix Monti does an excellent job in capturing a variety of scenes, especially in one scene which required a large crowd during a soccer match.



The film does display a lot of vibrant red and amber colors (due to the lighting) or characters wearing red but for the most part, the lighting is well-done.A lot of detail is captured on the walls, texture on the photo books, twill clothing, cigarette smoke flowing through the air to the wrinkles on the skin (love what they did in transforming the characters for 1974 and 1999).Skin tones are natural and blacks are nice and deep.I did notice occasional banding but nothing too disruptive.



But overall, picture quality is very good.



AUDIO & SUBTITLES:



"The Secret in Their Eyes" is presented in Spanish and French 5.1 DTS-HD MA. Dialogue is crisp and clear and there are times throughout the film where surround channels are being used such as gun shots or a train going through the tracks, crowd ambiance, cell phone ringing, etc.But for the most part, the film is driven by its dialogue and music.



The music by Federico Jusid and Emilio Kauderer is well done, especially during the more emotional scenes and the score is quite powerful.



But "The Secret in Their Eyes" is not one of those films where you can expect immersive sound.But for a film that focuses on romance, drama, mystery and suspense, the lossless audio is appropriate for this type of film.



Subtitles are presented in English, English SDH and French.



SPECIAL FEATURES



"The Secret In Their Eyes" comes with the following special features presented in standard definition, Spanish Stereo and English subtitles:



* Commentary with Director Juan Jose Campanella - A very detailed audio commentary as director Juan Jose Campanella breaks down the film and its love story as well as the detective story.Campanella breaks down each scene and explains to the viewer a background of what he wanted to accomplish with each scene.A very intelligent and well-done audio commentary from the filmmaker.

* Behind the Scenes of The Secret in Their Eyes - (4:12) A short featurette on the making of "The Secret In Their Eyes".Featuring crew and staff talking about working with each other and

* Casting The Secret in Their Eyes - (10:38) Featuring audition footage of various talent for the film.



JUDGMENT CALL:



When "The Secret in Their Eyes"won the Academy Award for "Best Foreign Language" film, before I watched the film, I was stunned.Could there be anything better than Michael Haneke's "The White Ribbon", Scandar Copti and Yaron Shani's "Ajami" or even the film which I felt was the true contender Jacques Audiard "Un prophete"?Granted, I have not watched "The Secret in Their Eyes" and having watched the nominated films, these films were outstanding but there must be something about this film by Juan Jose Campanella that stood out.



So, I watched this film with the highest of expectations and by the final credits, I realized that "The Secret in Their Eyes" is not only deserving for its multiple-award winning accolades but for any fan of cinema, these are the type of films in which the cineaste yearns for, movie making at its best.And not to downplay the other films which were nominated because I enjoyed those films very much but "The Secret in Their Eyes" is one of those films that stays with you and you can't help but feel that this is wonderful cinema, wonderful movie making devoid of banality and ennui."The Secret in Their Eyes" is wonderful!



Juan Jose Campanella did a fantastic job in being the man guiding force of the film.Many Americans may be aware of his work through TV series such as "House M.D." and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" but before these TV series, he's had success with films such as "Son of the Bride" and "Avellaneda's Moon". Campanella is a filmmaker who has a perfect grasp on suspense but also relationships.



"The Secret in Their Eyes" is a two stories in one.Two people who were attracted to one another 25-years in the past, separated by tragedy and then being reunited once again many years later.But then we have the mystery, the murder case that has consumed the main character Benjamin, as well as the victim's husband Ricardo.The corruption within the judicial system and no matter how Benjamin works hard to find the killer of this murder case back in 1974, the system works against him.But it's that careful pacing, where you feel easy at times and then Campanella's knows when to make the viewer feel uneasy and that something is not right.And this leads to a chilling discovery by the main character that was not only shocking but a realization that many of us were not prepared for and it works with tremendous efficacy.



The performances by Ricardo Darin, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago, Guillermo Francella were fantastic.Every scene was well-done and most of all well-captured by cinematographer Felix Monti.Not only do you have a well-written story but capable actors to make us believe.And a wonderful job goes to the makeup department that did a fantastic job in making the talent realistic for 1974 and 1999.I thought this was well-done.



As for the Blu-ray release, picture quality and audio quality were well-done.PQ has a bit of banding but other than that, it is a solid Sony Pictures Classics release.If anything prevents near perfection of this Blu-ray release is the special features.Aside from the wonderful audio commentary by Campanella, the special features were just two short featurettes and I was hoping for more.Especially on the transforming of the characters for the two time periods.



Overall, "The Secret In Their Eyes" is a film that is most deserving of its Oscar and multiple awards.This film is engrossing, suspenseful and truly amazing in every way.



Highly recommended!

Posted on October 14, 2010