The Secret in Their Eyes

Director: Juan José Campanella
Writer: Juan José Campanella
Cast: Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago, Javier Godino
Theatrical Release Date:
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Criticwire: B
On The Web Film Website IMDB Entry

Synopsis: Newly retired from his career in Argentina's criminal court, Benjamín Espósito (Ricardo Darín) begins writing a novel about a case from his past that continues to haunt him. In 1974, a beautiful young newlywed was raped and murdered in her home while her husband worked at the bank. Espósito was sent to investigate the horrifying crime. Looking at the gaze of a man in photos from the murdered woman's college years, a younger Espósito instinctively feels he has his killer. Tracking down the suspect becomes a personal obsession that draws him and his colleague, the brilliant but unreliable alcoholic Pablo Sandoval (Guillermo Francella), into ever-riskier situations. The case also intensifies Espósito's relationship to his young boss, Irene Menéndez Hastings (Soledad Villamil), a striking, Ivy League-educated woman whom he secretly, hopelessly adores. While initially critical of his unsanctioned sleuthing tactics, she soon becomes a partner in the investigation. Despite their dedication, however, inept officials and politics both internal and external to the court – the seventies was a turbulent era in Argentine history – threaten to let justice slip away. [Synopsis courtesy of Toronto International Film Festival]

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Jindy | October 10, 2010Reply

Discover the Secret in Their Eyes Juan Jose Campanella’s The Secret in Their Eyes is the 2009 Academy Award Winner for the best Foreign Language Film. Set both in the 1970s and in modern day Argentina, this movie is not a typical Hollywood film. The intentionally blurred opening scene of the film represents a man’s flashback as he is writing. The significance of this scene, as with the entire movie, is a mystery to the viewer until later in the film. The man writing is Benjamin Esposito (Richardo Darin), a retired court investigator who has decided to write a novel about the rape and murder of a 23 year old school teacher. In the process of writing Esposito goes on a journey of recollection on not only the key event related to this twenty-five year old case but on how these events were central his personal life. Through this adventure, Esposito is accompanied by his superior and secret love Irene Hastings (Soledad Villamil) and his colleague and friend Pablo Sandoval (Guillermo Francella). As represented by the fact that this film is an Academy Award, it is marvelous in all aspects. This includes writing, directing, acting and character development. The scenes in this film constantly shift between the past and present. However, Campanella has developed a creation in which this movement is seamless. Furthermore, the chemistry between not only Esposito and Hastings as lover but that between Esposito and Sandoval as friends is undeniable. Lastly, the witty and entertaining characters make this film a wonderful experience. Since The Secret in Their Eyes is an Argentine film it can be placed in the broad foreign genre. Furthermore, this is film is a mystery thriller because the viewer is in suspense throughout. This is especially true since the viewer is slowly presented with information through flashbacks and often knows less than the characters. In additon, this film follows the mystery genre through the unsolved murder case. However, unlike most thrillers, there is not a vast amount of action in this film. Instead, the dialogue between the characters and even the silence develops the storyline. This film also is also a romantic. This is because, upon retirement, Esposito looks at the past to determine what the meaning of his life is. Furthermore, intertwined in the murder case is the love story of Esposito and Hastings. Upon watching The Secret in Their Eyes you will be able to transform “I Fear” into “I Love You.”