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The Secret In Their Eyes Stars: Ricardo Darin, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago, Javier Godino and Guillermo Francella Director/Scriptwriter: Juan Jose Campanella (adapted from the novel by Eduardo Sacheri) Sony Pictures Classics Subtitled Rating: R for a rape scene, violent images, graphic nudity and language Running Length: 130 minutes Academy Award Winner for Best Foreign Language Film 2009 (now being released commercially in the U.S.) The Secret In Their Eyes is really the secret in the script. It moves in mysterious ways through 25 years of police life in Argentina. Ricardo Darin, looking for all the world like Joe Mantegna, and his partner, Guillermo Fancella, try to solve a murder in a country where people disappearing is routine. This is an adult film and there are graphic images of a crime scene and nudity. It is also a story of obsession in love, solving a crime and revenge. There is no time limit on murder. The story goes back and forth between the middle 1970’s and 2000. Benjamin (Ricardo Darin) and partner are called in to investigate a heinous rape/murder of a young married woman, Liliana (Carla Quevedo.) The husband, Morales (Pablo Rago), is inconsolable, and as Benjamin says, “You can see the love for her in his eyes.” By good police work, a suspect, Gomez (Javier Godino) is found, but unless there is a confession, he will walk. This is when the attraction between a woman judge, Irene (Soledad Villamil) and Benjamin comes into force. He can’t do anything to prompt a confession since there is no attorney present, but she can offer comments that cause Gomez to go over the top and brag. Thus, they have their man, who soon walks because of political intrigue. Eventually, lives are lost, time goes by and 25 years later, Benjamin is retired and writing a novel about this case. He decides to revisit Irene, now married with children, and have her read the script. Ah, the attraction is still there and the “what if’s” linger. Benjamin starts to look at the case with new light and just where are the people who were suspects, anyway? Watching police work in countries outside the U.S. shows there isn’t much that is different. Criminals are cunning and ruthless, hit men are hired, backroom conferences still decide things and there is never enough room in an office for paper work. The acting here is stellar. There is minimal dialogue so that body language and facial expressions (plus good lighting) do it all. The camera lingers on faces and just lets the actors do their thing. What doesn’t work is the aging process. Make-up is apparent and this lessens the effect. What is astounding is that after 25 years in police work, Benjamin and Irene are still alive. In their separate careers, policeman and judge, they walked a fine path. The Secret In Their Eyes is rich in side characters, from other police officers to people on the street. Photography is well done, music is appropriate and not overwhelming and the sets are rich in detail for that time period. You come away from the film with a feeling of having eaten a full meal. It is no wonder this movie won the 2009 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. It requires the audience to pay attention and connect the dots. Copyright 2010 Marie Asner
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