Review: ‘Secret in Their Eyes’ is a dark thriller

Posted on December 4, 2015

By MARK VIOLA

Each year when I’m preparing my Academy Award predictions, I enjoy watching the trailers for the Best Foreign Language nominees, most of which I never get a chance to see. Back in 2009, the Argentine film “The Secret in Their Eyes” won the Oscar. Aside from the fact that it was a dark crime thriller, the trailer didn’t show much and to this day, I’ve not had the chance to see it.

So I was intrigued when I learned that they were making an English-language remake, dropping the “The” from the title and boasting an all-star cast featuring Chiwetel Ejiofor (“12 Years a Slave”), Nicole Kidman (“Paddington”), Julie Roberts (“August: Osage County”), Alfred Molina (“Spider-Man 2”) and Dean Norris (“Under the Dome”).

From what I’ve been able to determine, there are quite a few changes between the original and remake, but I can say “Secret in Their Eyes” is a solid if not spectacular crime thriller. The film’s almost unrelenting darkness as well as a few story and face issues are mostly overcome by a bevy of very strong performances. Although the overall product doesn’t have quite the weight I was expecting based on the pedigree and cast, the movie is worth watching if you’re a fan of the genre.

The film is rated PG-13 for thematic material involving disturbing violent content, language and some sexual references.

(This is a abbreviated version of the full review available in our printed or e-edition papers.)

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