Review of Secrets & Lies (1996) by Adrian Morgan L — 26 Aug 2006

This is the best movie of 1996. Not my favourite, but the best. Fargo will always hold the title of my favourite movie from 1996. This movie was a masterpiece. It was made by Mike Leigh, one of the greatest dramatic directors of today.

This film is so incredible in many ways. The story is ingenious; after her parents die, a young black woman (Jean-Baptiste) seeks out her natural birth mother only to discover her mother is white. Equally shocked to learn her daughter is black, Cynthia (Blethyn) insists it's a mistake.

But she soon realizes it's true and when she springs her newfound daughter on the rest of the family, the resulting chaos leads to a series of secrets and lies being revealed at last. A true Best Picture contender if I ever saw one.

I wish this would have won Best Picture because movies like these need more appreciation, I think. Brenda Blethyn gives one of the best performances in years. It's too bad for her she was competing against the amazing Frances McDormand that year.

Marianne Jean-Baptiste is also incredible. They both garnered Oscar nominations in 1996. This isn't a movie to be missed... if you haven't seen this, add it to your "too see" list and watch it as soon as possible.

A true masterpiece.