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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed movies.

Secrets & Lies
October Films


8.1

based on 27 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 27 votes
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FILM:

Internet Movie Database

MPAA RATING: R for language

Starring Brenda Blethyn, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Timothy Spall, Phyllis Logan, Claire Rushbrook, Elizabeth Berrington, Michele Austin, and Lee Ross

A middle-aged London factory worker (Blethyn) is shocked when the mixed-race daughter she gave up at birth decides to track her down. At first she denies she is her mother. All family members become emotional, as everyone's secrets are exposed.

GENRE(S):	Drama
WRITTEN BY:	Mike Leigh
DIRECTED BY:	Mike Leigh
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: February 1, 2005 Video: April 15, 1997 Theatrical: September 27, 1996
RUNNING TIME:	136 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	France / UK

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

ReelViews James Berardinelli

Represents the director at his best -- unsentimental yet powerful, funny and poignant, and, in the end, undeniably satisfying.

100

Washington Post Desson Thomson

Reveals itself detail by searing detail.

100

USA Today Mike Clark

Blethyn is so astonishing that you forget you're seeing a performance.

100

Chicago Tribune Michael Wilmington

Leigh is an artist not at all blind to the world's darkness and pain. But the generosity and togetherness he and his company show in Secrets and Lies is something the movies -- and the world -- truly need. [25 October 1996, Friday, p.A]

100

The New Republic Stanley Kauffmann

Leigh, the writer, ties up things somewhat neatly and is a touch homiletic. Leigh, the director of cast and camera, is masterly. [Sept. 30, 1996]

100

Los Angeles Times Kenneth Turan

If film means anything to you, if emotional truth is a quality you care about, this is an event that ought not be missed.

100

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

It moves us on a human level, it keeps us guessing during scenes as unpredictable as life, and it shows us how ordinary people have a chance of somehow coping with their problems, which are rather ordinary, too.

100

San Francisco Chronicle Edward Guthmann

Leigh goes right to the core of his character's lives and mines the place where we're weakest, most alone and sometimes the cruelest.

100

TNT RoughCut Jason Puskar

A masterful mix of wit and humor, sympathy and sadness.

100

Washington Post Rita Kempley

A magnificent melodrama that draws both tears and laughter from the everyday give-and-take of seemingly ordinary souls.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Keith Phipps

There's not a weak performance in Secrets And Lies, a fact made more notable by the seeming ease with which the cast performs as an ensemble.

Film.com Tom Keogh

By creating characters from emotional wellsprings rather than concepts, Leigh thrills us with the possibilities that emerge when people are merely in the same room.

TV Guide Frank Lovece

A radiant, heartbreaking film.

Chicago Reader Jonathan Rosenbaum

The acting is so strong--with Spall a particular standout--that you're carried along as by a tidal wave.

Film.com Sean Means

Breathtaking, heartbreaking.

Time Richard Corliss

Rich in humor, pained or frolicking.

Mr. Showbiz Michael Atkinson

The ride is remarkable.

The New York Times Elvis Mitchell

Unfolds beautifully, with a rueful, knowing intelligence that rises above easy assumptions. [27 September 1996, p.C1]

Newsweek David Ansen

The results are wondrous, wrenching and crazily funny to behold.

San Francisco Examiner G. Allen Johnson

Leigh has a gift for demonstrating character from the outside in.

Film.com John Hartl

So meticulously acted that you feel you're reading the characters' minds.

Dallas Observer Arnold Wayne Jones

Secrets & Lies is all about wounds and our tendency to embrace placebos rather than the harder courses of treatment.

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman

A crowd-pleaser, all right, but, for all its appeal, a naggingly sanctimonious one.

Baltimore Sun Ann Hornaday

Crammed, cheek to jowl, with bleak moments, high hopes, sweetness and naked emotion.

Slate Sarah Kett

Leigh at his best is a renderer of moments--the wisest and deepest observer, probably, among living directors.

Austin Chronicle Marjorie Baumgarten

Secrets & Lies, despite my dwelling on its problems, is a really solid and enjoyable movie. It's just not what I would call "best of the fest."

Variety Staff [not credited]

Unquestionably a finely observed, deeply felt work, though with some nagging problems in pacing and structure.

The average user rating for this movie is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 27 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Pat C. gave it a9:
It's a struggle to follow this movie in the early going as it tracks two sets of characters who do not initially interact. Finally what is going on reveals itself. From then on, one is witness to an important story exceptionally well told. Upon reflection the accomplishment of this film is exemplary. The last line of spoken dialogue, filled with peace, is as perfect a masterpiece of closure as any ever committed to film. A must see for those who differentiate the best from the rest. Despite the difficult setup I cannot recommend it highly enough.

Shanice T gave it a10:
Phenomenal film! Brilliant screenplay, direction, and acting.

Macky gave it a10:
The Best Movie I have ever seen, PERIOD! Unbelivable acting, great story, deeply moving. If you care about people more than special effects see this movie.

Lil S gave it an8:
Blockbuster did not have it as usual. Netflix did.

Philippa H. gave it an8:
A brilliant film. The acting was very realistic on all accounts. Shows the pain of hiding the truth and living in lies. Yet ruth has the power of liberation!

ed j. gave it a10:
Why isn't this on DVD????

Alexander J. gave it a 10:
Almost perfect. The ending rather disappointing. But until then, Brenda Blethyn et al succeed in breaking your heart.

Secrets & Lies October Films

Secrets & Lies
October Films