Plot
A retired legal counselor writes a novel hoping to find closure for one of his past unresolved homicide cases and for his unreciprocated love with his superior - both of which still haunt him decades later.
Release Year: 2009
Rating: 8.2/10 (45,272 voted)
Critic's Score: 81/100
Director:
Juan José Campanella
Stars: Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago
Storyline In 1999, retired Argentinian federal justice agent Benjamín Espósito is writing a novel, using an old closed case as the source material. That case is the brutal rape and murder of Liliana Coloto. In addition to seeing the extreme grief of the victim's husband Ricardo Morales, Benjamín, his assistant Pablo Sandoval, and newly hired department chief Irene Menéndez-Hastings were personally affected by the case as Benjamín and Pablo tracked the killer, hence the reason why the unsatisfactory ending to the case has always bothered him. Despite the department already having two other suspects, Benjamín and Pablo ultimately were certain that a man named Isidoro Gómez is the real killer. Although he is aware that historical accuracy is not paramount for the novel, the process of revisiting the case is more an issue of closure for him. He tries to speak to the key players in the case...
Writers: Eduardo Sacheri, Juan José Campanella
Cast: Soledad Villamil
-
Irene Menéndez Hastings
Ricardo Darín
-
Benjamín Esposito
Carla Quevedo
-
Liliana Coloto
Pablo Rago
-
Ricardo Morales
Javier Godino
-
Isidoro Gómez
Bárbara Palladino
-
Chica Piropo
Rudy Romano
-
Ordóñez
Alejandro Abelenda
-
Pinche Mariano
Mario Alarcón
-
Juez Fortuna Lacalle
Guillermo Francella
-
Pablo Sandoval
Sebastián Blanco
-
Pinche Tino
Mariano Argento
-
Romano
José Luis Gioia
-
Báez - Inspector
Juan José Ortíz
-
Agente Cardozo
Kiko Cerone
-
Molinari
Filming Locations: Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina
Box Office Details
Budget: $2,000,000
(estimated)
Opening Weekend: ARS 2,883,567
(Argentina)
(16 August 2009)
(66 Screens)
Gross: $6,390,014
(USA)
(17 October 2010)
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
When Pablo Sandoval explains the "passions" of the main characters, in the pub scene, he compares Irene with Susanita in her bride-to-be mania. Susanita is a character in the famous Argentinian comic-strip Mafalda, by Quino. Susanita is a blonde elementary school girl who is known for always talking about her future handsome husband, her future beautiful wedding an future good marriage, when she is not gossiping about the neighbor's marriages.
Goofs:
Anachronisms:
The perimeter advertising of Tomas Duco stadium (where the match is being held) is not from the 1970s. All the perimeter advertisements shown behind the goal line are from 2008, the year when the movie was shot.
Quotes:
[first lines]
[English subtitles]
Benjamín Esposito:
[voiceover]
On June 21st, 1974, Ricardo Morales had breakfast with Liliana Coloto for the last time. For the rest of his life he'd remember every single detail of that morning. Planning their first vacation... Drinking tea with lemon for his nagging cough... with his usual lump and a half of sugar. The fresh berry jam he'd never taste again. The flowers printed on her nightgown... and especially, her smile. That smile like the sunrise... blending in with the sunlight on her left cheek...
User Review
Speaking Eyes
Rating: 10/10
"El Secreto de sus Ojos" hit me with unspeakable strength. I didn't
expect to like it so much, so I owe a review to those in analysis
measures before seeing it or those interested in some opinion.
First off, Campanella works with flawless effort all of the technical
aspects of the film. It even starts with a double exposure effect,
mixed with some sad shots of a beautiful Buenos Aires that hints the
spectacle ahead of us. One shot especially, from a chopper in a soccer
field edited with a crane shot is breathtaking. Nothing to envy from
Hollywood upper class.
But the main strength of the movie comes from the powerful narrative
dominion Director Campanella has over characters, spaces and silences.
Many moments are coldly tense, scary and very, very intense. This
crossover from genres by Campanella couldn't have been better. Crime
stories often fall in common places, this one relies on the fragile
psychological state of the audience to draw all of it's intense dialog,
acting and scenes.
I cannot stop recommending it, Argentina can open it's market with
movies such as this. It has many, many memorable moments, it interwines
comedy perfectly and it is doubtful you will instantly forget it, as it
is so well constructed. See it if you can!
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