The Secret in Their Eyes
Dir: Juan José Campanella
2009
*****
Based on the novel The Question in their Eyes by Eduardo Sacheri (secrets are clearly more appealing to film goers than questions are), Juan José Campanella adaptation is sleek and stylish and compelling from start to finish. Set just before Argentina's Dirty War and concluding soon after, the attention to visual period detail and political and social mood is impeccable, although some examples of the aged make-up is better than others. Although the story and final plot twist isn't predictable, it has been done before but never as well. The way Juan José Campanella reveals the story's 'secrets' bit by bit across the film is very effective as is the creeping pace and overall structure. Ricardo Darin's lead performance is perfect, he an Soledad Villamil play off each other beautifully and their later meetings in the film are extremely believable because of it. Pablo Rago plays his difficult character well but his older make-up lets his role down somewhat. Javier Godino's Isidoro Gomez is one of the most frightening character in recent years, only highlighting the shocking corruption in Argentina at the time. However, it is Guillermo Francella as Pablo Sandoval who steals the show for me, he and director Campanella deal with his character perfectly, only revealing his importance to the story when the moment is right. It's the perfect thriller.