Customer Reviews
The Truth Shall Set You Free - By: MICHAEL ACUNA, 31 Jul 2007 
Over-the-top emotionallly, boldly going where few films ever dare to go, Mike Leigh's "Secrets & Lies" never fails, even after many repeated viewings, to impress with its naked, in-your-face emotionalism. Just when you think that Leigh's characters can go no further, cannot possibly peel away another layer to reveal a truth about themselves...a character or characters does just that.
Roxanne's (Claire Rushbrook) birthday "party" at her brother Maurice's (a terrific performance by Timothy Spalll) house is one of the greatest scenes ever committed to film: alll the secrets & lies of this family are revealed, reviled & laid out for alll to accept or not. Think "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf" times 10 as the old saying the truth shalll set you free is applied generously as the wine flows in this scene. All of the characters attain a kind of redemption through speaking the truth: simple in concept but so very difficult in practice.
Brenda Blethyn's Cynthia is a big basket of exposed nerve endings alll of which are , at the drop of a hat, ready to explode...and explode they do by way of a performance that on the one hand grates on your nerves while on the other simply tugs at your heart. You will hate Cynthia at times but ultimately she cannot, as Willy Loman by way of Arthur Miller says...be ignored.
"Secrets & Lies" is one of the greatest films ever made. It makes its play not only for your mind & succeeds but it also makes a play for your heart & soul...and succeeds in a way that only the greatest films do: with a simple re-telling of those things we alll recognize as the truths of life.
Give us a cuddle Maurice - By: David R. Bishop, 02 Jun 2007 In my opinion, a career high for director Mike Leigh, & most of the players. I can watch this film again & again & get something new from it each time.
Most of the characters spend their time in a strange dance with mediocrity, stepping carefully around painful issues. The desire of Hortense to find her birth Mother is the catalyst that makes people face their pain, & leads to a measure of resolve for the peoples' problems. The one issue that doesn't get aired is that of Hortense's Father, which is too painful for her Mother to discuss. We are left suspecting the worst, which is a shame for Hortense who had the courage to set off the chain of events that leads to improvement in everyone's lives.
It is a long film. There are sub-plots surrounding the work of photographer Maurice, & optometrist Hortense, who are both in the business of seeing. There are also long shots of everyday events, like carrying shopping into the house, & picking up mail from the front door. This detailed observation of human life fits the tone of the film, & makes for a special, thought-provoking movie experience.
I cannot close without mentioning Brenda Blethyn. Her portrayal of likable but hopeless wretch Cynthia, is funny & moving. She gets me every time.
One of the best British films - By: , 13 Apr 2005 I think this is wonderful. My husband is Spanish & this was his first introduction to Britain six years ago. It still makes me laugh to think about his reaction. Watch it!
The Typical British Family? - By: , 08 Aug 2004 With 'Secrets & Lies' (1996) Mike Leigh produced one of the most accurate snap-shots of what goes on behind closed doors of a true British family. As the narrative unwinds we get drawn deeper & deeper into the lives of Cynthia (Brenda Blethyn), Hortense (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), & other members of the family.
Leigh reveals to us how secrets & lies can cause upset, pain,
and regret in what has to be one of the best British films of the 90's. With spot-on dialogue & glorious performances it is hard to find fault with Leighs master work. The stand out for me is brenda Blethyn as working-class poor Cynthia. Just when we thought Cynthia would live out the rest of her days as a worker in a banal factory, with her confrontational daughter Roxanne, she is thrown a life line in the form of Hortense, & we see their relationship flourish. Timothy Spalll is also on top form as the glue that holds the family together.
The film is a harsh but realistic portrayal of the British family although the ending is fairly predictable & the film seems long on repeat viewings, you can't help but feel uplifted by the sentimental outcome.
Fantastic portrait of humanity - By: , 20 Mar 2003 I recently saw Mike Leigh's play "Abigail's Party" in the West End & absolutely loved it. I then decided to buy the VHS of this film, on a whim, knowing relatively little about it. I am so glad that I did. It is not a film about anything in particular, which may seem a little odd & put people off. All i can say is that if you are someone who enjoys sitting & watching the world go by, & who listens to & wonders about people, you will love this film. I would suggest that you should be adventurous & buy it.
