Secret Life (2007)

Director:

Rowan Joffe

Writer:

Rowan Joffe

Stars:

Matthew Macfadyen, Holly Aird, Philip Davis

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew Macfadyen	...	Charlie
Holly Aird	...	Emma
Philip Davis	...	Rudi (as Phil Davis)
Yasmin Paige	...	Michaela
Brett Allen	...	Sex Offender
Michele Austin	...	Probation Officer
Alan Barnes	...	Residential Care Worker
Angel Coulby	...	Young Mum
Shahnequa Duprey	...	Kelly
Holly Gibbs	...	Chloe
David Hinton	...	Duty Sergeant
Lorna Lacey	...	Girl at Funfair
Rebekah Manning	...	Job Officer
Victoria Pritchard	...	Prostitute
Clara Salaman	...	Chloe's Mother

Storyline

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

19 April 2007 (UK)

Also Known As:

Charlien salattu elämä

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel 4 Television Corporation, Kudos Productions Ltd.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

70 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Screenwipe: Review of the Year 2007 (2007)

User Reviews

Educated (I think!) look at a paedophile's 'return to society'

Casting Matthew MacFadyen in the lead role seems a gamble both by the film-makers and also for the actor. However, this drama (in my opinion), seems well-researched enough, for the reputations of both to remain intact.

Thought-provoking, sensitive and filmed from a shifting perspective, the drama deals with an incredibly delicate subject well. Upon watching it, it's possible you may find yourself questioning your own empathy to various characters.

I'm determined to stay the right side of "contains spoilers", so it ties my hands somewhat. But please, 'give this a go', it has been written well, and is incredibly well acted. Kudos to MacFadyen for taking on an astonishingly difficult part.

Pace, direction and length are spot-on. You cannot predict the ending, it is very much (too) new territory to even get near the inner-workings of the lead's mind. The children in the roles act well too, and having 2 girls around the ages suggested, I can vouch for the authenticity of their naiveté, speech, false confidence and over-estimation of being 'streetwise'. A little scary in parts, but overall, a very interesting look at an extremely controversial, even taboo subject, through (a lot of the time), the eyes of the person you would least want to.

Bravo to Channel 4 for having the balls to get this made and shown.