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The entire cast delivers wonderfully affecting and gorgeous performances and Campanella takes such good care of them throughout their portrayals. The way he frames Esposito and Irene as they look at each other - the audience is so close you almost believe you can feel them breathing on each other, but strangely enough, as you’re drawn in that deeply, you don’t feel as though you’re intruding. It’s refreshing to see their profound and mature love portrayed on screen as Campanella insures us their eyes have no secrets at all. There are sublime moments where Francella is allowed to just cut loose and go as far as he wants to go – but he never does so in a silly way that would disrespect the tone of the film and the rest of the action. In those instances the audience finds themselves cracking up as the irreverent drunk Sandoval truly extends himself while methodically solving the crime. (Don’t worry – it’s not a murder mystery. Nothing is spoiled here.) As lovely as the performances and direction are, perhaps the strongest elements of this film are the screenplay and the characterizations as written. Never pedestrian, insulting or clichéd – it was a joy to be led along back and forth through Esposito’s journey. I was amazed by how effortlessly all the genres within the film blended and how easily the story unfolded as it jumped back and forth through time. None of the moments ever seemed false or overwrought - even with some weighty symbolism strewn throughout for good measure. The characters all display such a genuine and elegant earthiness. The themes are heady and provocative, but in a satisfyingly cerebral way. Craft as splendid as this is a very rare thing in movies these days. I never wanted to leave the world of this film. So if you’re in the mood for a beautifully constructed, well-acted and well-written film, go to your local arthouse theatre and get in on the Secret. Hopefully it’s playing there. If it’s not playing in your area, call the local movie multi-googolplex and ask why. I’m sure they could find space for it. And I bet you a spicy tuna roll and a bowl of miso soup that it won’t kill them to have one less screen playing Marmaduke.
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Saturday, May 18, 2024 © 2024 Box Office Prophets, a division of One Of Us, Inc. |