The Secret in Their Eyes (2009)

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 (screenplay), Juan José Campanella (screenplay)

Stars:

Ricardo Darín, Soledad Villamil, Pablo Rago

Top Rated Movies #135 | Won 1 Oscar. Another 51 wins & 40 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:

argentina | private | secret | hidden | enigma | 

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Taglines:

A crime without a punishment. A pure love. A story that must not die.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance | 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 [Argentina]

Country:

Argentina Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

21 May 2010 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Secret in Their Eyes

Filming Locations:

Estación Retiro, Retiro, Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

ARS 2,883,567 (Argentina), 16 August 2009, Limited Release

Opening Weekend USA:

$167,866, 18 April 2010, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$20,167,424, 8 January 2016

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$33,965,843, 31 December 2011

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

Ricardo Darín and Soledad Villamil also starred together in El mismo amor, la misma lluvia (1999)

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Goofs

When Esposito is visiting the victim's home for the second time to go through the photographs, he asks Morales whether he would support the death penalty if Liliana's killer was apprehended. Morales answers; "He would just get an injection and go to sleep." Lethal injection has never been employed in Argentina and was legislated in Texas (the first jurisdiction to adopt the method) only in 1977, three years after the scene is set; hence, it is very unlikely that Morales would consider it as a hypothetical method of execution.

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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

Réquiem
Written by Emilio Kauderer

User Reviews

Absolutely impeccable, great film!

I agree with SanFava. I am a follower of Campanella's and Darin. I have seen all previous three films. However, this one surpasses them all!. This is a great script, top-notch acting by everyone, partly thanks to the excellent casting. Superb cinematography. The film basically explores what "passion" is to the human being. A great passion (on various areas) is involved in almost all characters. You have suspense, a clever detective story, some surprising twists, etc. Darin has an "aura" (paraphrasing the the title of the film he worked in, "The Aura") that illuminates the whole screen. His presence is as powerful in the screen as that of Gene Hackman, Pacino, DeNiro or Hoffman (the top, great ones). I sincerely hope this movie gets his due awards (Oscar included), because it deserves so!).