The Secret in Their Eyes (Juan José Campanella, 2009)


What's it about? A retired prosecutor broods over his past life, haunted by his failure to close a particular murder case and to act upon his love for a colleague. We flash back and forward in time to see the events as they occured and how they have impacted on several lives in the present.

Is it any good? Superb. Everything you could want from a great thriller; intelligent plotting, surprising twists, suspense, mystery, and an emotional wallop to boot. The acting's not too shabby either, with everyone utterly convincing as both young and old versions of the same characters. And it gives us a glimpse of the ugly junta period in 1970s Argentina, which saw thousands of people 'disappear' under the military dictatorship. Something for everyone.

I don't trust you. What do others think? A surprise winner of the Best Foreign Film Oscar in 2010, beating off hot favourites The White Ribbon and Un Prophete. Happily, it was the right decision.

 



Anything else I should know? Prepare to be dazzled by the 5 minute continuous shot, in which the camera sweeps in over a football stadium, dives into the crowd and follows the protagonists as they chase a suspect through the bowels of the stadium and out onto the pitch. You don't get that on Sky Sports.

What does the Fonz think? Don't let the subtitles put you off - a fantastic thriller.





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