All Critics (133)
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Top Critics (28)
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Fresh (122)
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DVD (3)
Romantic obsession at its two extremes is explored with sympathy and intelligence in the thriller The Secret in Their Eyes...
Campanella approaches the material with a classic hand -- no quick cuts, special effects or gimmicks here. This is a flesh-and-blood movie, and both Darin and Villamil bring earthy presence to the story.
The entire film is stocked with images that reflect a character and story in flux.
Expertly written, played and directed, it's the best romantic mystery since L.A. Confidential.
Engages with style, suspense, and seriousness of intent. Criminal intent and otherwise.
A bit too symbolic for its own good
This complex and involving Argentinean crime drama, with strong moral overtones, won the Best Foreign Language Oscar.
There are some "Are we there yet?" stretches as the film plays out toward the unexpected ending, but the final destination is worth the total travel time.
The story's political subtext ... provides a constant undertow of fear and menace to the hero's investigation.
The Secret in Their Eyes ... is an enjoyable procedural in its own right. Campanella's film is the Argentine equivalent of Gone Baby Gone, with a touch of Atonement thrown in for good measure.
It's a handsome production with a story rooted in the nasty past of political fascism, which may explain why it won, because it sure isn't subtle or dramatically challenging.
Tightly structured, visually conscious, well-acted mystery and love story.
Darín's central performance is a consummate lesson in minimalist acting, deftly bypassing the tropes of the clichéd romantic lead and the crusading good guy.
[A] tame effort that dazzles with high production values rather than genuine artistic achievement.
A supremely watchable, well-made and well-acted movie with a dark, sinewy sense of history...
Writer-director Juan Jose Campanella is a master of camerawork and editing. He is also wonderful with actors. There isn't a false performance here.
A stylish and intelligent Argentine offering -- destined to become a world cinema classic.
Humane and harrowing, highly recommended. This one will stay with you.
It's a film of enormous pretension and not enough reward.
It's the kind of film that creeps up on you and sinks in long afterwards.
The film rattles along like a well-crafted Hollywood noir, circa 1945.
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