The Secret in Their Eyes (2009)
"El secreto de sus ojos" (original title)

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.

Director:

Juan José Campanella

Writers:

Eduardo Sacheri, Juan José Campanella,

Stars:

Soledad Villamil, Ricardo Darín, Carla Quevedo

Top 250 #155 | Won 1 Oscar. Another 48 wins & 34 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

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, most specifically Irene, who still works in the justice department and who he has always been attracted to ...

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Plot Keywords:

justice | love | murder | rape | suspect | 

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for a rape scene, violent images, some graphic nudity and language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [ar]

Country:

Argentina Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

13 August 2009 (Argentina)

Also Known As:

The Secret in Their Eyes

Filming Locations:

Constitución Station, Constitución, Buenos Aires City, Argentina

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£85,467 (UK) (13 August 2010)

Gross:

$6,390,014 (USA) (15 October 2010)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Tornasol Films, Haddock Films, 100 Bares

Technical Specs

Runtime:

129 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In 2010 it became the second Argentine film to win an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. The previous one was The Official Story.

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Goofs

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.

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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 ...

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Connections

References The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (1964)

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Soundtracks

"Tema de Irene"
Written by Emilio Kauderer

User Reviews

Speaking Eyes

"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!