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Movies / On DVD / The Secrets
The Secrets

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The Secrets (2008)

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Reviews Counted:14

Fresh:10

Rotten:4

Average Rating:6.8/10

Rated: R [See Full Rating] for some nudity, sexuality and brief language.

Runtime: 2 hrs 7 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Nov 28, 2008 Limited

Synopsis: Naomi, the brilliant and pious daughter of an ultra orthodox rabbi finds herself at a crossroads of life choices when her mother dies and she is expected to immediately marry her father's prodigy.... Naomi, the brilliant and pious daughter of an ultra orthodox rabbi finds herself at a crossroads of life choices when her mother dies and she is expected to immediately marry her father's prodigy. Distressed yet determined, she begs that her father allow her one year to study at a women's religious seminary in Safed, the birthplace of the Kabala in order to prepare herself for the sacrifices she will make as a wife. Her father relents and Naomi's life begins to take an unexpected turn.

Devote but lively, Naomi and her new friend Michelle befriend a beautiful, mysterious older woman, Anouk, (Fanny Ardant) who is ill and living nearby who may or may not be Jewish, and may have committed a crime of passion. Naomi devises a series of rituals which will somehow "purify" Anouk and purge her of her sins, but as these stretch the borders of Jewish law they must be kept secret. Eventually this journeys into the forbidden and leads to a growing attraction between the two girls and more crossroads are faced.

The Secrets presents the complexities of a religious lifestyle in a vibrant environment of youth, rebellion and desire. --© Monterey Media [More]

Starring: Fanny Ardant, Ania Bukstein, Michal Shtamler

Starring: Fanny Ardant, Ania Bukstein, Michal Shtamler

Director: Avi Nesher

Director: Avi Nesher
Producer: David Silber, Avi Nesher
Composer: Daniel Salomon
Studio: Monterrey Media

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Release:

Apr 7, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Naomi, the brilliant and pious daughter of an ultra orthodox rabbi finds herself at a crossroads of life choices when her mother dies and she is expected to immediately marry her father's prodigy. Distressed yet determined, she begs that her father allow her one year to study at a women's religious seminary in Safed, the birthplace of the Kabala in order to prepare herself for the sacrifices she will make as a wife. Her father relents and Naomi's life begins to take an unexpected turn.
  • Devote but lively, Naomi and her new friend Michelle befriend a beautiful, mysterious older woman, Anouk, (Fanny Ardant) who is ill and living nearby who may or may not be Jewish, and may have committed a crime of passion. Naomi devises a series of rituals which will somehow “purify” Anouk and purge her of her sins, but as these stretch the borders of Jewish law they must be kept secret. Eventually this journeys into the forbidden and leads to a growing attraction between the two girls and more crossroads are faced.
  • The Secrets presents the complexities of a religious lifestyle in a vibrant environment of youth, rebellion and desire.
  • Source: Monterey Media
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for The Secrets

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    1 - 14 (sorted by comments)
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    The Secrets twines coming-out, coming-of-age and coming-to-terms-with-Orthodoxy in a way that diminishes all three -- and dilutes its message with clichés.

    Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
    03/13/09
    Amy Biancolli
    Amy Biancolli
    Houston Chronicle

    One of the most remarkable movies of the year.

    Full Review Source: New York Observer | comment Comment
    11/19/08
    Andrew Sarris
    Andrew Sarris
    New York Observer
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    There is pain and empowerment in The Secrets as difficult choices are made. There are also gaps, but emotionally moving performances by Ardant, Bukstein and Shtamler in particular, keep you with this small but provocative film until the end.

    Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
    03/13/09
    Betsy Sharkey
    Betsy Sharkey
    Los Angeles Times

    Restrained direction and the cast's strong, disciplined performances keep it from falling into soap-opera territory.

    Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
    03/13/09
    Cary Darling
    Cary Darling
    Dallas Morning News

    Although overlong by about 20 minutes, The Secrets mostly handles its subject matter with grace and charm; its heroine's proud defiance even mitigates a questionably celebratory conclusion.

    Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
    11/26/08
    Kristi Mitsuda
    Kristi Mitsuda
    Village Voice

    The Secrets belongs in a mini-tradition of involving films that limn the border where spiritual and sexual awakenings collide and entwine.

    Full Review Source: Denver Post | comment Comment
    02/13/09
    Lisa Kennedy
    Lisa Kennedy
    Denver Post

    Director Nesher has a way of reducing each confrontation to its two-dimensional essence, and he’s not helped by a swampy, sentimental musical score.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
    04/10/09
    Michael Phillips
    Michael Phillips
    Chicago Tribune
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The Kabbalah meets the Kinsey Reports, in this Madonna style mystical erotic brew. And a somewhat biased male take on thwarted female desires, along with simmering same sex homoerotic religious expressive tendencies.

    Full Review Source: NewsBlaze | comment Comment
    11/16/08
    Prairie Miller
    Prairie Miller
    NewsBlaze

    Each of the three primary directions of the movie might make a fascinating film, but tied together, they never cohere, and you find yourself sitting through two long hours wondering why you are doing so.

    Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
    02/12/09
    Richard Nilsen
    Richard Nilsen
    Arizona Republic
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Excessively overwrought and drawn out.

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    10/18/08
    Robert Koehler
    Robert Koehler
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    In some ways, it is a traditional narrative. But it is more. It is gently and powerfully acted.

    Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
    02/26/09
    Roger Ebert
    Roger Ebert
    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    For a film with an aim as ambitious and illusive as the depiction of the spiritual, The Secrets has a surprisingly light touch.

    Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
    12/05/08
    Sara Schieron
    Sara Schieron
    Boxoffice Magazine

    Even with rote characterizations and an overheated lesbian subplot, this religion-steeped Israeli tale is entertaining, eye-opening, even cautiously sexy.

    Full Review Source: Oregonian | comment Comment
    01/09/09
    Stan Hall
    Stan Hall
    Oregonian

    The passionate performances of Ms. Bukstein, Ms. Shtamler and Ms. Ardant lend The Secrets enough emotional solidity to prevent it from entirely dissolving in the suds.

    Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
    11/26/08
    Stephen Holden
    Stephen Holden
    New York Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
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    Latest News for The Secrets

    May 03, 2009: The Kabbalah meets the Kinsey Reports, in this Madonna style mystical erotic brew. And a somewhat biased male take on thwarted female desires, along with simmering same sex homoerotic religious expressive tendencies. Opens in new window
    More...

    November 27, 2008: Movies-Box Office News: The Kabbalah meets the Kinsey Reports, in this Madonna style mystical erotic brew. And a somewhat biased male take on thwarted female desires, along with simmering same sex homoerotic religious expressive tendencies. Opens in new window
    More...

    November 03, 2008: Trailer & Poster review Opens in new window
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