The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos) poster & wallpaper
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Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago, Javier Godino, Carla Quevedo ... see more see more... , Barbara Palladino , Rudy Romano , Alejandro Abelenda , Mario Alarcon , Guillermo Francella , Sebastián Blanco , Mariano Argento , José Luis Gioia , Juan José Ortiz , Kiko Cerone , Fernando Pardo , Maximiliano Trento , Sergio López Santana , Elvio Duvini , David Di Napoli , Pedro Kochdilian , Oscar Ortega Sánchez , Gabriela Daniell , Alicia Haydee Pennachi , Darío Valenzuela , Carlos Mele , Iván Sosa , Judith Buchalter , Hector LaPorta , Liliana Cuomo , Luis Alejandro Pérez

Benjamin Esposito has spent his entire working life as a criminal court employee. Recently retired, and with time on his hands, he decides to write a novel. He does not decide to make up a story. Ther... read more read more...e is no need to. He can draw on his own past as a civil servant for a true, moving and tragic story in which he was once very directly involved. In 1974 his court was assigned an investigation into the rape and murder of a beautiful young woman. -- (C) Sony Classics

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92% liked it

25,699 ratings

Critics

91% liked it

133 critics

R, 2 hr. 9 min.

Directed by: Juan José Campanella

Release Date: April 16, 2010

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DVD Release Date: September 21, 2010

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Stats: 2,521 reviews

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Juan Jose Campanella
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Flixster Reviews (2,521)

  • MrMarakai
    May 5, 2013
    MrMarakai
    The 2010 Academy Awards category for Best Foreign Language film contained some strong contenders with the likes of Jacques Audiard's "A Prophet" and Michael Haneke's "The White Ribbon"; two films that could easily have laid claim to the award. However, it was this film crept up f... read morerom under their noses and took the Oscar. Whether or nor you pay any credence to the Oscars is neither here nor there but there's no doubt that this is solid and absorbing filmmaking.
    In 1999, retired criminal justice officer Benjamin Esposito (Ricardo Darìn) decides to write a novel about a murder case that he investigated in 1974. He decides
    visits his old colleague Irene Hastings (Soledad Villamil) to talk it over. The case had repercussions for everyone involved but Benjamin didn't realise the direct effect it had on him or his deep, suppressed feelings for Irene.
    With a title like "The Secret In Their Eyes", this film states it's intentions and stands by them. Director Juan José Campanella lingers long on shots and wisely focuses on the eyes of his performers. For a film that's predominately dialogue driven, the abundance of close-up's add another dimension where the eyes speak a thousand words. It's a great technique that conveys a myriad of hidden meanings in the relationship between the two main characters, Benjamin and Irene. However, this relationship is not entirely apparent from the off-set. It's only when the film's layers are revealed that this comes to the surface, as in the meantime you're too preoccupied with it's murder-mystery plot developments. This mystery progresses into a manhunt, while taking time to explore the judicial system and political corruption that was rife in Argentina in 1970's. It's during this, that Campanella takes advantage of the thriller element in the story, delivery an absolutely astounding and very skilfully handled tracking shot through a football stadium, leading to an impressively assembled chase sequence. Just how they managed to do it is beyond me and needs to be seen to be believed. There are many moments of intensity when it matters (including a nerve-racking elevator moment that's hard to forget) but it also knows how to ground itself and that's were the performances come in; Ricardo Darin is a charismatic presence who more than holds your interest with unshakable ideals and a strong moral compass, while Soledad Villamil delivers a strong and reserved show. It's the chemistry between these two wonderful actors that play a big part in the film's, effortless, tonal shifts. It's also not without humour or tragedy which is provided by Guillermo Francella as Benjamin's alcoholic, but loyal and reliable colleague, Pablo.
    Quite simply, it's easy to see why this film took the Oscar, it's has a bit of everything; a sharp and involving script that pays great attention to detail; skilful direction;
    rich cinematography and natural, committed performances.
    A complex tapestry about life, love and chances rued that's built around the constructs of a thriller. It excels in everything it challenges and that's exactly where it's strengths lie.

    Mark Walker
  • MidnightMadwoman
    April 25, 2012
    MidnightMadwoman
    This movie reminds me a little of Oldboy or Tell No One; it's a rivetting crime drama tied together by really endearing and human characters. This movie makes a point of letting you get to know all the characters and seeing their fears , goofiness and pettiness - all the things t... read morehat make them human, basically - and uses them to anchor the investigation into a decades-old crime. Every single character in this movie is interesting and genuine: the villains aren't devoid of moral fibre, and the heroes aren't free from feelings of bitterness and selfishness. I really appreciated the time they took to hash out these people's motivations and relationships. The Secret in Their Eyes also reminded me a little of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, but much less mean-spirited. This is not the kind of movie I usually go for, but I am so glad that I saw it.
  • fb1216165431
    September 10, 2011
    fb1216165431
    An eye for an eye. The Secret In Their Eyes is an intelligent, multiple coherent plots on love, loss, and justice with political subtexts. Highly intriguing subtle themes. Sensational.
  • hunterjt13
    August 8, 2011
    hunterjt13
    A former criminal court prosecutor recalls a case involving a raped woman and judicial corruption.
    The Secret in Their Eyes is a superbly constructed thriller with strong performances by Ricardo Darin and Soledad Villamil, both of whom are able to convey so much with so li... read morettle movement; it's understated, stoic acting at its finest.
    The direction by Juan Jose Campanella is also quite strong. Benjamin is always at the edge of the screen, never fully seen until the very end. It's a strong choice, indicating Benjamin's distance from himself and inability to face all that his life has come to. Also, there's a great continuous shot (think: Children of Men or Atonement) at the football game and another shot of a chase scene that shows Campanella's technical brilliance.
    I did think that the love story was not adequately set up so that when it became the main element of the third act, I was surprised.
    Overall, this is a very strong thriller and quite accessible for all audiences.
  • adammahler1
    June 14, 2011
    adammahler1
    Great performances by the male and female leads, and fine dialogue for the supporting cast. Some great shots that show characters boxed in by their habitual environments and give a sense of texture to those environments. Unnecessary melodrama and overanxious plot shortcuts, but t... read morehe two leads sell it better than others could.
  • fb634552688
    May 24, 2011
    fb634552688
    There are an uncountable number of layers to this film. Politics, love, justice, good old symbolism, great acting and so much more. In a movie that's all about the details, they seemed to have nailed every last one.
  • kiriyamakazou
    May 15, 2011
    kiriyamakazou
    Fantastic crime drama. It begins with Darin attempting to write a novel based on a case from long ago. It's been 25 years since the rape and brutal murder of a young woman. It was a case that just fizzled out after getting too hot. This film is filled with love, revenge and obses... read moresion. It plays out in a rich tapestry of events over time. The film prevails against most others due to Rago. He plays the loving husband of the victim. He becomes obsessed with catching the killer, not to kill him, but to make him serve his time. With so many violent revenge fantasies, it's great to finally see a character we can relate to.

    The films wonderul story unravels, but does so with unique and satusfying scenes. The football stadium sees action and intrigue take center stage, whilst an elevator scene is sure to send chills through the viewer. The climax was so expertly handled I was giddy to see it all come together. It was an ending that you do see coming, but not so early on that it ruins the film. It also had me contemplating on the nature of good and evil, and punishment itself. It was satisfying, but also made me feel a little cold. An overall excellent film that I can't wait to watch again.
  • jennifxu
    May 1, 2011
    jennifxu
    A really overdramatic telenovela. The soccer house scene is the only one worth watching. Verdict: skip it.
  • ythelastman89
    April 5, 2011
    ythelastman89
    If this movie were to have been made in the US it would've been labeled as a collage piece of around six different existing crime/detective stories. However, since it is "foreign" there seems to be no bad judgment; it even won an academy award. I'm gonna say it, this is a bland m... read moreovie with no surprises and hammy acting. It tries to have this really great parallel with the relationship and murder mystery, but it's just way too obvious and drawn out. The originality it does have is wasted. Yes, a six long shot is great looking when it is used in something with a great story and event taking place. It's watchable, but it's absolutely nothing you haven't seen before.
  • itsjustme2004
    March 8, 2011
    itsjustme2004
    A slow start, then some crescendo, and a grandiose finish. A very well shot, well written, well acted, well directed piece of art. When all is said and done, though, in spite of some painstakingly detailed scenes, and some sharp scripting, this film just seemed awfully long. I l... read moreiked it, but would have probably loved it with maybe 30 min shaved off.

View All The Secret in Their Eyes (El Secreto de Sus Ojos) Reviews

Critic Reviews

Dave Calhoun
August 12, 2010
Dave Calhoun, Time Out

It's a film of enormous pretension and not enough reward. Full Review

Roger Moore
June 2, 2010
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Romantic obsession at its two extremes is explored with sympathy and intelligence in the thriller The Secret in Their Eyes... Full Review

Tom Long
May 21, 2010
Tom Long, Detroit News

Campanella approaches the material with a classic hand -- no quick cuts, special effects or gimmicks here. This is a flesh-and-blood movie, and both Darin and Villamil bring earthy presence to the story. Full Review

Chris Vognar
May 7, 2010
Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News

The entire film is stocked with images that reflect a character and story in flux. Full Review

Moira MacDonald
May 6, 2010
Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

Though the story occasionally seems a little too convenient to be true, it doesn't matter a whit, as the filmmaking is so skilled. Full Review

Colin Covert
April 29, 2010
Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Expertly written, played and directed, it's the best romantic mystery since L.A. Confidential. Full Review

Steven Rea
April 29, 2010
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Engages with style, suspense, and seriousness of intent. Criminal intent and otherwise. Full Review

Peter Rainer
April 23, 2010
Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor

A bit too symbolic for its own good Full Review

Rick Groen
April 23, 2010
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

The wonder is that the film balances its many genres, from the thorns of murder to the bloom of romance to the thickets of politics, with such easy grace. Full Review

Christy Lemire
April 23, 2010
Christy Lemire, Associated Press

The performances are what frequently hold the film together when it seems at loose ends, namely from stars Ricardo Darin, Soledad Villamil and Guillermo Francella. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Isidoro Gómez: At least ask him to talk to me. [in reference to Morales]
    • Irene Menéndez Hastings: Obviously, they are not making any reference to this toasted-sausage germ.
    • Pablo Sandoval: And she wants to get married more than Susanita...
    • Benjamín Espósito: How do you live a life full of nothing?
    • Ricardo Morales: If you keep going over the past, you're going to end up with a thousand pasts and no future.
    • Ricardo Morales: "Memories are all we end up with. At least choose the good ones."
Submit a Fact | View All

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