I was puzzled and confused when I tried to find a reason why I should stay at epinions. It has never been about the money, but the money has just gotten so bad, I had almost lost my will to write. However, writing movie reviews and scripts is one of my favorite hobbies. The truth be known, I would do it if I wasn’t getting paid -- I just miss what once was. I don’t feel the need anymore to write reviews on the new releases I see every single week (small comments will be posted every week at IMDB.com). I was going to review just random movies, but I found myself being bored and tired. Do I really want to write a review for a two star movie that came out in 1984? Then one day on the net, I came upon a wonderful idea that one of my favorite critics was doing. James Berardinelli, a critic I enjoy but usually disagree with, has begun writing a review every week of his all time favorite movies. I’ve always had kind of a sick obsession with making lists, so of course I was attracted to this idea. It took me more then two and half weeks of debating with myself, but I have finally constructed my 100 favorite films of all time list. This is how it will work, every week or so, I will post a film review, and that review will be one of my all time favorite movies. For example, this film I am about to review is my 100th favorite film of all time, next week will be number 99, and so on and so forth. Eventually, if epinions will last for another year or so, I will hit my #1 movie of all time. This is something I plan on enjoying, because I will be talking about movies I adore and love. So let the list begin!

#100 -- Secrets & Lies

Secrets and Lies. We’re all in pain, why can’t we share our pain?” That question is asked, but never fully answered in Mike Leigh’s intelligent and unforgettable Secrets & Lies. Movies that deal with problems in families have always interested me, and few films present the family crisis as well as this one. There are certain scenes in the film that are so real, you might forget you are watching a movie.

Secrets & Lies is a deeply personal and private film that deals with a family that is completely disconnected. Hortense (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) has just lost her mother. She is a black eye doctor, and has known since the age of seven she was adopted. So looking for answers, she goes seeking out her mother. Her mother just happens to be the neurotic, charming, and white Cynthia (Brenda Blethyn). Cynthia, unaware that Hortense is looking for her, has another daughter, Roxanne (Claire Rushbrook). Roxanne is a street sweeper who doesn’t have a nice word to say about anyone, especially her mother. The line that best describes her personality, is a line she mutters to her mother, “what’s there to smile about?” Although Roxanne is about as charming as a crab, her uncle Maurice (Timothy Spall) is quite found of her. Part of the reason for this is because Maurice and his wife Monica (Phyllis Logan), are unable to have children. Monica is a dominating self loathing woman who dislikes Cynthia; Maurice is the man who is stuck in the middle of all these people's problems. To describe the plot of Secrets & Lies is like describing a painting by mentioning the colors that are included -- the descriptions do no justice.

There are a number of reasons why Secrets & Lies is one of my all time favorite films. From my point of view, the film is frighteningly realistic with its dialogue and acting. At times, it feels like you are watching a documentary. Part of the reason for this, is because of Mike Leigh and his actors style of film making. Rehearsal and improvisation play a large part in every Mike Leigh film. Realism continues as far as the casting goes as well. Since Secrets & Lies is a British film, it doesn’t have any Hollywood stars in it. This means the actors look like real ordinary people, something rarely seen for leading men and women in Hollywood. There’s also scenes in the film that don't necessarily add to the narrative, but they add such a human side to the film, it would have been a sin to cut them. For example, the character of Maurice is a professional photographer. We the audience get to see him at his place of business, doing what he does best, taking pictures of the moment. These small moments of him capturing people at their best or worst -- they add for some of the most wonderful little scenes in the film.

The film has its share of heartbreaking scenes. There is the suggestion that Cynthia was perhaps raped, and that is how she came to have Hortense. The amazing thing however, is how the film manages to also be so wickedly funny. Like real life, the characters are able to find humor, even in the hardest of times. A particularly grand scene is when Cynthia and Hortense first meet. Cynthia and Hortense have know idea what each other look like. Hortense is aware that her mother is white, but Cynthia is unaware of Hortense's race. The scene is tragic, embarrassing, but also hysterical. Another scene that is sure to garner laughs, is the scene in which Cynthia preaches to Roxanne about having safe sex. A line is then said by Roxanne that children often say, “I didn’t ask to be born.” In Secrets & Lies the perfect response is given, “Well I didn’t ask to have you!”

The actors are another key reason why Secrets & Lies is one of my all time favorites. Everyone gives a pitch perfect performance. You believe these people are all in the same family, and none of the acting calls attention to itself. Brenda Blethyn must be singled out for her remarkable performance. Her performance is so complicated, so funny, so sad, I still don't see how she managed to pull it off. Blethyn can do more with a single facial expression, then the majority of actresses in Hollywood can do with a major monologue. She was nominated for the Academy Award for this performance, and it was unfortunate that she lost. After examining past nominees, and assembling my list of my one hundred favorite movies, I have no problem in saying Blethyn’s performance is the single best female performance of the 90’s. She is perfect.

Secrets & Lies is quite simply a wonderful film. For those of you haven’t seen this film, and that could be a lot of Americans, I highly suggest you go to your local video store and rent it. This isn't a film people need to 'get' or a violent film. Anyone who knows about the pains that can happen in families should be able to enjoy this film. This is my idea of perfect British cinema.





Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS