Si j'étais toi (2007)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Vincent Perez

Writers (WGA):

Ann Cherkis (screenplay)
Hiroshi Saito (1999 screenplay Himitsu)

Release Date:

10 October 2007 (France)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

A wife and mother passes away, and spirit returns in her daughter's body.

Plot Keywords:

Cemetery | Remake | Reanimation | Supernatural | New Life

Cast

David Duchovny	...	Dr. Benjamin Marris
Lili Taylor	...	Hannah Marris
Olivia Thirlby	...	Samantha Marris
Brendan Sexton III	...	Ethan
Jane Wheeler	...	Maggie Adams
Millie Tresierra	...	Lindsay Porter
Trisha LaFache	...	Taylor
Ashley Springer	...	Ian Mackenzie
Laurence Leboeuf	...	Amelia
Nicole Braber	...	Female Patient
Trent Pardy	...	Ski Shop Salesman
Vito Tassielli	...	Dr. Ford - ICU Dcctor
Babs Chula	...	Psychiatrist (as Babz Chula)
Joanna Noyes	...	Elizabeth - Hannah's Mother
Jay Brazeau	...	Sullivan

Also Known As:

The Secret (International: English title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language including sexual references, and drug and alcohol use involving teens.

Runtime:

USA:92 min (DVD version)

Country:

France

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital (Dolby 5.1) | Dolby Digital (Dolby 2.0)

Certification:

South Korea:15 | USA:R | Singapore:M18 | Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Company:

Europa Corp.

Quotes:

Samantha Marris: You've got a 36 year old wife in the perfect body of a 16 year old. I'm every man's wet dream.

Movie Connections:

References Thriller (1983) (V)

Interesting character study that for some reason stars David Duchovny.

Even though his performance was decent for the most part, it was still horrible casting. Duchovny can do comedy and wit, but show emotion? Too forced Dave, too forced.

The Secret was a good surprise though. After a horrible car crash involving Benjamin Morris's (Duchovny) wife and daughter, the man becomes involved in a horrible occurrence. Turns out, that after dying, the spirit of the mother becomes trapped in the body of the reawakened daughter. Freaky Friday much?

The body swap idea that has been seen from time to time has been given a more mature approach here. The mother has to get an education that she didn't get, via her daughter's body; she also has to experience teenage angst, constant attacks by horny males, and the self realization that she is she, but she is not she. Ben believes her, but things get far more psychologically complex as the movie progresses. Thankfully, nobody asks advice from a priest (about damn time).

The script was well done, but what made it above average were the characters and situations that arose. Plot holes further hurt the movie, not to mention Duchovny's unconvincing portrayal as a father who EASILY gets aroused by her daughter's possessed body. Maybe it was because of the director (Vincent "Crow 2" Perez), or maybe it was because of both.

Now, Olivia. What a magnificent, tour-de-force performance you gave here. You did everything Dave didn't do- convince. People, better watch this one, she has a bright future ahead of her. Lilly Taylor gives a subtle performance here, almost too subtle. You forget about her the minute she stops showing up in the movie. Wait, what she in the movie?

Statement: The Secret is a huge surprise. Almost too huge. I expected a clichéd Dragonfly, but I got an intelligent viewing. Not to mention that this movie features one of the best performances of 2007 by the beautifully talented Olivia Thirlby. You can't expect much more than this I'm afraid, but you won't expect much by looking at the DVD cover.

6.7/10