El secreto de sus ojos (2009)
aka The Secret in Their Eyes
There's lots of good in The Secret in Their Eyes, especially during the first half, but toward the end, it kinda loses its focus and gets lost in its predictable twists. I really liked the initial concept of this retired man working on a novel based on a case that's bothered him for decades (and reflecting on his past mistakes along the way). Somehow writing and detective work just goes so well together (like the miniseries Four Seasons in Havana).
Little after the midpoint, the film takes a turn towards politics and conspiracies, and revenge. The characters and their interactions were the strength of the first part, and the shift toward a plot-centric thriller is unneeded. Especially as the last hour offers no surprises (and neither does the debate about death sentence vs life in prison). I do like how the film doesn't condemn taking justice into one's own hands in the situation, though.
The Secret in Their Eyes is a good-looking movie. The only issue in that department is that the 70s and 90s look exactly the same. The acting is the best thing in the film, especially the protagonist and his drunkard co-worker are excellent. The titular event or concept felt a bit forced and made the whole investigation seem gimmicky. I would have preferred if it was just about the characters and one (preferably unsolved) murder case haunting the protagonist after all these years.
So, in the beginning, I was prepared to love The Secret in Their Eyes. Sadly it faltered quite a bit along the way. It was still good (barely, but still) and definitely worth seeing.
aka The Secret in Their Eyes
There's lots of good in The Secret in Their Eyes, especially during the first half, but toward the end, it kinda loses its focus and gets lost in its predictable twists. I really liked the initial concept of this retired man working on a novel based on a case that's bothered him for decades (and reflecting on his past mistakes along the way). Somehow writing and detective work just goes so well together (like the miniseries Four Seasons in Havana).
Little after the midpoint, the film takes a turn towards politics and conspiracies, and revenge. The characters and their interactions were the strength of the first part, and the shift toward a plot-centric thriller is unneeded. Especially as the last hour offers no surprises (and neither does the debate about death sentence vs life in prison). I do like how the film doesn't condemn taking justice into one's own hands in the situation, though.
The Secret in Their Eyes is a good-looking movie. The only issue in that department is that the 70s and 90s look exactly the same. The acting is the best thing in the film, especially the protagonist and his drunkard co-worker are excellent. The titular event or concept felt a bit forced and made the whole investigation seem gimmicky. I would have preferred if it was just about the characters and one (preferably unsolved) murder case haunting the protagonist after all these years.
So, in the beginning, I was prepared to love The Secret in Their Eyes. Sadly it faltered quite a bit along the way. It was still good (barely, but still) and definitely worth seeing.