Film Review – Secret in Their Eyes
2 min read
Led by an all-star cast of Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman and Chiwetel Ejiofor, Secret in Their Eyes seeks to find the killer and serve justice, in more ways than one.
Based on the Argentinian novel El secreto de sis Ojos by Eduardo Sacheri, Secret in Their Eyes revolves around an unresolved homicide case that continues to haunt former FBI investigator Ray Kasten (Chiwetel Ejiofor). A personal case, Ray returns to his old precinct a decade later with newfound evidence regarding the mystery of the brutal rape and murder of the daughter of his old partner, Jess Cobb (Julia Roberts). With the help of his alluring colleague and boss Claire (Nicole Kidman), the trio strive to discover the truth and uncover some secrets have been buried for years.
Directed by Billy Ray, Secret in Their Eyes is reminiscent of Prisoners, albeit subdued and less interesting. The film is speared on by its powerhouse cast and their ability to deliver powerful performances. Ejiofor stars as Ray, a hardworking agent who is unable to let go of the past and seeks to solve the case. In another starring role after his turn in 2013’s 12 Years A Slave, Ejiofor brings a strong performance. His versatile role captivates on-screen; from dedicated investigator to loyal friend, Ejiofor displays his wide ranging talent. Likewise, Kidman portrays a headstrong lawyer but is not entirely central to the plot. It’s Roberts that shines; her intensity and vulnerability resonates through the film. Embracing the character, Roberts’ performance is outstanding as a grieving mother. Her performance is central to the film and creates the entire atmosphere that drives the unoriginal plot.
With slight departures from the original, Ray’s Secret in Their Eyes is well-adapted and refreshing with smooth transition to a drama thriller. Like many mystery thriller based films, Secret in Their Eyes excels in bringing crime and justice to the forefront, with the emotional trauma palpable. The script has enough twists and turns to keep the viewers entertained, interchanging timelines and heavy music to keep the intensity going strong. A well-executed adaptation, the film has just the right amount of cast power and script strength to be on par with the original. An Oscar-nominated trio – Roberts, Kidman and Ejiofor – generate star power and performance to drive the film into a strong and watchable element.
