Secrets & Lies (1996)

Following the death of her adoptive parents, a successful young black optometrist establishes contact with her biological mother -- a lonely white factory worker living in poverty in East London.

Director:

Mike Leigh

Writer:

Mike Leigh

Stars:

Timothy Spall, Brenda Blethyn, Phyllis Logan

Nominated for 5 Oscars. Another 36 wins & 42 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Timothy Spall	...	Maurice
Phyllis Logan	...	Monica
Brenda Blethyn	...	Cynthia
Claire Rushbrook	...	Roxanne
Marianne Jean-Baptiste	...	Hortense
Elizabeth Berrington	...	Jane
Michele Austin	...	Dionne
Lee Ross	...	Paul
Lesley Manville	...	Social Worker
Ron Cook	...	Stuart
Emma Amos	...	Girl with Scar
Brian Bovell	...	Hortense's Brother
Trevor Laird	...	Hortense's Brother
Clare Perkins	...	Hortense's Sister-in-Law
Elias Perkins McCook	...	Hortense's Nephew

Storyline

Cynthia lives in London with her sullen street-sweeper daughter. Her brother has been successful with his photographer's business and now lives nearby in a more upmarket house. But Cynthia hasn't even been invited round there after a year. So, all round, she feels rather lonely and isolated. Meanwhile, in another part of town, Hortense, adopted at birth but now grown up, starts to try and trace her mother.

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Plot Keywords:

biological mother | mother daughter relationship | birthday party | search for birth mother | family secret | 

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Taglines:

Roxanne drives her mother crazy. Maurice never speaks to his niece. Cynthia has a shock for her family. Monica can't talk to her husband. Hortense has never met her mother.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mike Leigh and Brenda Blethyn were both born on February 20th. Mike is exactly 3 years older than her.

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Goofs

When Roxanne pushes Cynthia onto the bed, the shadow of a crew member's head is seen moving on the bed.

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Quotes

Maurice: She can't help it; she never had enough love

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Connections

Referenced in Famous in Love: Secrets & Pies (2017)

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Soundtracks

Happy Birthday to You
Words by Patty S. Hill & Mildred J. Hill (as Mildred Hill)
© Keith Prowse Music Pub Co. Ltd./EMI
Sung by the family at Roxanne's birthday party

User Reviews

So Brilliant

I wish the USA had a director like Mike Leigh. His movies are amazing. "Secrets & Lies" traces the pain we often hold inside along with our secrets and the catharsis that can come by revealing them. Lives of quiet desperation within a family gradually find healing in this movie about adoption, children and the walls we build around ourselves for protection. There is a poignant metaphor in the brother Morris' career as a photographer, as his subjects attempt to cover the stories in their faces long enough to smile for the camera. This is an intense movie but it is not without beauty and hope.

Details

Country:

UK France

Language:

English Greek

Release Date:

28 February 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Secrets & Lies

Filming Locations:

Junction of Whitehouse Way and Hampden Way, Southgate, London, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$4,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$60,813, 29 September 1996

Gross USA:

$13,417,292

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,417,292

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, CiBy 2000, Thin Man Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

136 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Color:

Color (Metrocolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1