SECRET IN THEIR EYES – The Review

(L-R) JULIA ROBERTS, NICOLE KIDMAN, and CHIWETEL EJIOFOR star in SECRET IN THEIR EYES.

SECRET IN THEIR EYES is a tightly-plotted murder-revenge thriller that unfolds in leisurely, satisfying detail, cramming a whole miniseries’ worth of events into its two-hour running time. A remake of the 2009 Oscar-winning Argentinian film of the same name (from a novel by Eduardo Sacheri), SECRET IN THEIR EYES is an old-fashioned movie-movie with an A-list cast that’s hardly groundbreaking, but engrossing and substantial enough to recommend

Jumping back and forth between 2002 and current day, SECRET IN THEIR EYES makes its way through several genres; equal parts murder mystery, adult romance, buddy cop movie, and a discourse on national security and the death penalty. The plot hinges on the murder of the teenage daughter of a federal investigator and a co-worker’s 13 year quest to find justice. Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as Ray, a LA-based G-man in 2002 on post-9/11 counter-terrorism duty, assigned to investigate chatter at local mosques. When Carolyn (Zoe Graham), the 17-year old daughter of fellow agent Jess (Julia Roberts) is brutally raped and murdered, Ray focuses all of his energy on that case, even though it’s out of his jurisdiction. A killer is fingered quickly enough, but it turns out he’s the pet informant of another fed (Michael Kelly), too valuable on the outside to be arrested. A confession is discounted, evidence destroyed, and justice denied (or is it?).

SECRET IN THEIR EYES isn’t particularly stylish and with its reliance on close-ups and dialog, often plays like a cold-case procedural TV show, albeit a very good one.  Imagine an episode of Law and Order spun out into a thriller spanning 13 years and you’ll get the general idea of what this movie feels like.  Most interesting is the story’s political subtext which provides a unique angle to the hero’s investigation. The film addresses some big questions about why some crimes may need to be overlooked for the greater good in the aftermath of the 9-11 attack and the ushering in of the era of terrorism.

The cast is anchored by the intelligent performance of Chiwetel Ejiofor who effortlessly essays a character of believable sadness and commitment. He’s in most every scene, but it’s a de-glammed Julia Roberts who makes the biggest impression. Someone in Jess’ situation would be this damaged and the actress is terrific, unafraid to go full-on haggard for a tricky and tragic role. Nicole Kidman makes no attempt to physically age between decades and is wasted in an underdeveloped part as a prosecutor. The romance-that’s-not-meant-to-be between her and Ray seems half-baked – it was at the center of the Argentinian version and they would have been wise to simply leave it out of this one.

Any film that tells a story this intricate and sweeping is bound to have a few plot holes. The killer is identified too easily by a look at convenient photos where he’s staring creepily at his future victim. A scene in which Ray and his partner Bumpy (Dean Norris) track down the perp in a packed Dodger Stadium provides an excuse for a thrilling chase sequence, but it makes no logical sense (the corresponding scene in the Argentinian version was filmed in one long spectacular shot at El Monumental soccer stadium – I thought at first this remake was going to recreate that, but it doesn’t). One or two moments concerning  the killer (played with unsettling intensity by Joe Cole), especially a confession scene involving Nicole Kidman’s cleavage, threaten to cross the line from suspense into out-and-out melodrama, but SECRET IN THEIR EYES is large enough in scope to transcend these minor flaws. It’s a solid mystery that’s less about a murder case than about the living left behind and by the time the final lurid twist kicks in, it’s become a compelling meditation on memory and justice.

4 of 5 Stars