The Secret in their Eyes
1.5/4
Starring: Ricardo Darin, Soledad Villamil, Ricardo Darin, Pablo Rago, Guillermo Francella
Rated R for a Rape Scene, Violent Images, Some Graphic Nudity and Language
There are two reasons why "The Secret in their Eyes" doesn't work: one, it's far too long, and two, director Juan Jose Campanella goes for understatement when this kind of story demands grand melodrama.
Benjamin Esposito (Darin) is a retired police investigator trying his hand at writing a novel. One case from the past, the brutal rape and murder of a schoolteacher named Liliana Coloto (Carla Quevedo), has hung over him for the past thirty years. Now that he's no longer working, he sees an opportunity to tackle the mystery again. This brings him into contact with his old boss, Irene (Villamil), whom he has loved for decades.
A story like this has to pump up the nostalgia and longing. That's why we watch movies like this. We have to feel it intensely because those emotions feel intense in real life. Unfortunately, Campanella elects to tell this in a more realistic fashion. It's not "Dogma 95," fortunately, but it's enough to drain a lot of the life and energy out of it. Think of what "The Notebook" would be had Nick Cassevetes had elected to tell it without the grandness, and you'll understand the fundamental disconnect this presents. The result is a film that is only sporadically compelling when it should touch the heart via faded photographs.
At least the acting is good. Ricardo Darin is too low-key, but he does shine in some of the quieter, subtler scenes. Still, there are times when he can't carry the audience through the times when the story lags. Soledad Villamil is wonderful; not only is she gorgeous, she gives a terrifically lovely performance, and she shares the right kind of chemistry with her co-star. Pablo Rago gives a scene-stealing performance as Ricardo Morales, Liliana's grieving husband. When the film becomes a trial, which it does frequently, all the film has to do is to have him appear on screen for the film to hit its stride. Guillermo Francella gives a good performance as Pablo Sandoval, Esposito's alcoholic partner, but for someone of so little importance he has entirely too much screen time. The film would have been much better served had more of Pablo's screentime to Ricardo.
Campanella's misunderstanding of how to present the material is the film's biggest stumbling block, and it sinks the film. I can do with a film that goes on for a little too long, but when a film is played out with an entirely inappropriate tone, it can't work. I will admit that the film has some scenes in the final act that strike the right note to an extent, but that's really all the film has going for it.
Starring: Ricardo Darin, Soledad Villamil, Ricardo Darin, Pablo Rago, Guillermo Francella
Rated R for a Rape Scene, Violent Images, Some Graphic Nudity and Language
There are two reasons why "The Secret in their Eyes" doesn't work: one, it's far too long, and two, director Juan Jose Campanella goes for understatement when this kind of story demands grand melodrama.
Benjamin Esposito (Darin) is a retired police investigator trying his hand at writing a novel. One case from the past, the brutal rape and murder of a schoolteacher named Liliana Coloto (Carla Quevedo), has hung over him for the past thirty years. Now that he's no longer working, he sees an opportunity to tackle the mystery again. This brings him into contact with his old boss, Irene (Villamil), whom he has loved for decades.
A story like this has to pump up the nostalgia and longing. That's why we watch movies like this. We have to feel it intensely because those emotions feel intense in real life. Unfortunately, Campanella elects to tell this in a more realistic fashion. It's not "Dogma 95," fortunately, but it's enough to drain a lot of the life and energy out of it. Think of what "The Notebook" would be had Nick Cassevetes had elected to tell it without the grandness, and you'll understand the fundamental disconnect this presents. The result is a film that is only sporadically compelling when it should touch the heart via faded photographs.
At least the acting is good. Ricardo Darin is too low-key, but he does shine in some of the quieter, subtler scenes. Still, there are times when he can't carry the audience through the times when the story lags. Soledad Villamil is wonderful; not only is she gorgeous, she gives a terrifically lovely performance, and she shares the right kind of chemistry with her co-star. Pablo Rago gives a scene-stealing performance as Ricardo Morales, Liliana's grieving husband. When the film becomes a trial, which it does frequently, all the film has to do is to have him appear on screen for the film to hit its stride. Guillermo Francella gives a good performance as Pablo Sandoval, Esposito's alcoholic partner, but for someone of so little importance he has entirely too much screen time. The film would have been much better served had more of Pablo's screentime to Ricardo.
Campanella's misunderstanding of how to present the material is the film's biggest stumbling block, and it sinks the film. I can do with a film that goes on for a little too long, but when a film is played out with an entirely inappropriate tone, it can't work. I will admit that the film has some scenes in the final act that strike the right note to an extent, but that's really all the film has going for it.
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