by Frank Calvillo
It’s incredibly refreshing to know that those individuals refusing to be sucked into the franchise machines of James Bond and The Hunger Games haven’t been completely forgotten by Hollywood. In the spirit of counterprogramming, this week sees the release of the dark revenge-like thriller Secret in Their Eyes, which proves a somewhat involving, yet undeniably problematic, alternative going into the last weekend before the holidays.
Secret in Their Eyes tells the story of LAPD detectives Jess (Julia Roberts) and Ray (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who are pulled from their positions on an anti-terrorism task force to investigate the appearance of a dead body of a young woman in a dumpster. When the two arrive on the scene, it’s discovered that the dead girl is actually Jess’ teenaged daughter. Aided by Assistant D.A. Claire (Nicole Kidman), the three embark on a 13 year mission to bring the killer of Jess’ daughter to justice at any cost necessary.
The one glaring flaw throughout Secret in Their Eyes, which will no doubt prevent it from being fully embraced by those who see it, is its structure. The story jumps back and forth from 2002 to 2015 without warning and, even worse, without any good reason whatsoever. In some instances, such a device works in terms of presenting the story like a puzzle, but the problem with taking such an approach here is that Secret in Their Eyes is a story that doesn’t really need to be presented that way. Needless to say, this has an extremely jarring effect on the viewing experience of Secret in Their Eyes. Audience members find themselves getting wrapped up in a certain sequence only to be pushed forward into the future for a typically unrelated plot point. If this was done in an effort to make the film feel more complex, writer/director Billy Ray should’ve had more faith in the weight and strength of the material to present it in a straightforward manner. I couldn’t help but think just how much better the film would have played had it been presented chronologically. Character motivations would have felt stronger, dramatic moments would have had more impact and the story would have FELT like a story. Instead, we spend far too much time trying to tell what year we are in by searching for the gray in Ejiofor’s hair.
I typically try not to put too much weight on the fact that a movie I’m watching is a remake of an earlier film, preferring instead to let it stand on its own. Yet in the case of Secret in Their Eyes, I was greatly intrigued to see how Roberts’ re-worked role (played by two male actors in the original Argentine film) would change the overall dynamics of the story. I went in with a strong curiosity about seeing how a mother’s maternal instincts would make the character of Jess more tortured and hell bent on revenge. For better or worse, it didn’t. While the right amount of pain and anger were present to make everything feel authentic, the overall emotional impact was grand, but simply not as much as I had hoped for.
If nothing else, Secret in Their Eyes allows audiences the chance to watch two of modern cinema’s most acclaimed and popular actresses share some screen time. Kidman and Roberts are both film icons and are as far apart as can be when it comes to acting styles. Watching the two of them interact with each other through such heavy material makes the entire experience worth it.
In fact, its really the performances which make Secret in Their Eyes an overall worthwhile venture for audiences. Each of the three leads is so deeply committed to their roles, that for all its structural and narrative faults, it’s virtually impossible not to become emotionally invested in what is happening throughout the film thanks its trio of actors. Kidman’s role as Claire may feel deceptively underwritten, but the skilled actress manages to find her character’s strong, yet wounded soul and display it in such a way that it never overtakes what else is going on. As to be expected, Ejiofor is hands down amazing in his role. The actor plays Ray with such a quiet intensity, carrying with him a palpable combination of guilt and determination. It’s the kind of part the actor is known for doing well and he doesn’t disappoint.
By far, the flashiest and most difficult role belongs to Roberts. I’ve personally loved watching the actress’ career over the past several years with regards to the choices she’s made which have helped her to break away from the “sweetheart” label she’s been saddled with for such a long time. Her work in films such as Charlie Wilson’s War and August: Osage County have proven to some and reminded others that Roberts is indeed a skilled actress capable of great depth. Jess may be her darkest and most far reaching role to date, but the actress proves she’s game and hits every note the role requires right on the mark. Jess is such a deeply complex and frightening role, requiring so much emotional devotion, that it would scare off any number of actresses. Not Roberts though.
In spite of the one major factor which keeps the film from reaching its full potential, the performances along with the story’s emotional core make Secret in Their Eyes worthy of praise and recommendation. Poor editing aside, it’s hard not to be taken by the sight of Roberts furiously smashing an elevator mirror with her gun after watching her daughter’s suspected killer walk free. At the time of year when theaters are inundated with money-hungry blockbusters and award-hopeful art films, it’s comforting to know that a such a powerhouse, yet cinematic moment still exists somewhere.
