WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Shocking loss. A term so often used in conjunction with sports in describing one team’s surprise victory over the supposed better opponent. And for some fans, it is a reason to celebrate. But then there are the painful, unforeseen, losses of human life that occur which can unsettle even the most stout-hearted people, especially when the loss hits home on a personal, familial level. For special investigator Jess (Julia Roberts), the fatal reality of this scenario is all too real, as a brutal slaying she and the team she’s part of–Ray (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Bumpy (Dean Norris), Reg (Michael Kelly) and their supervisor Clair (Nichole Kidman)–investigate becomes extremely personal. Jess’ own daughter, Carolyn (Zoe Graham), is the victim in question.
Thirteen years later, Ray comes to Los Angeles and re-connects with the team, as he believes he’s found the killer, Marzin (Joe Cole), and pushes for Clair, now a District Attorney, to re-open the case and help find Jess true closure. Because previously, Marzin walked free. But, as Ray digs further and further into the case, obsession in locating Marzin also tears open the old wounds Jess has had to deal with since her daughter’s murder. As tensions and emotions flare up between Jess, Ray, and Clair, truths and lies begin to be brought to light, and a stunning secret crashes the entire effort Ray has gone to, and soon it becomes brutally apparent that one can never underestimate how the desire for vengeance can poison the soul.
Next, my Mind:
In his third major film venture, Writer/Director Bill Ray delivers arguably one of the best dramatic thrillers of the year, filling the narrative with more than enough of the required suspense and anticipation as to where the story is going to keep viewers well engaged and invested in the outcome. And to say the outcome alone is worth the film would be an understatement in this reviewer’s opinion, as it adds an additional punch to an already emotionally charged account. The consistent, taut undercurrent from this building climatic scheme is sometimes relieved with moments of mild levity and explorations into two of the character’s interpersonal relationship from both past and present, but ultimately, the story remains edgy and tight.
Roberts and Ejiofor have such incredible presence on screen overall, and this film is no exception for either actor. The moments when Ray discovers it’s Carolyn’s body in the dumpster, his revealing of that to Jess, and her subsequent reaction is filled with such realistically portrayed, heart-rending despair and anguish that this reviewer teared up almost immediately with the sheer weight of the moment and how both actors simply emoted so solidly in capturing this pivotal story element. And throughout the film, it’s the same. This is also true for the supporting cast, and Cole as Marzin truly provides a villain you just want to get his. So in total, “Secret In Their Eyes” stands out as a gritty, well-executed thriller that deserves notice.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
