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In their relationship, the movie beautifully discusses the effect of the passage of time on individuals. It portrays the effect of regret and how that can change the course of a person's life. At one point, a character says, "You'll have 100 pasts and no future." Each of the characters reflects on the choices they've made and the effect of passing time on them because of the choices made. And yet, The Secret in their Eyes is hopeful. It teases the audience with the possibility that choices are not immutable perhaps. The movie also suggests that we know what is correct for us. We know what we are meant to do, which relationships are authentic for us and when defining moments are upon us.

The Secret in their Eyes may be an uncharacteristic film for American audiences as well. One of the ways the film swerves wildly away from typical themes is its exploration of male machismo, in particular in cultures not entirely familiar to Americans. Intense passion is a central emotion in the film. Most of the male characters display highly developed senses of masculinity whether it's the more silly machismo or the more authentic sense of what it is to be a man. Raging passion is displayed. At one point Esposito is so angered by the framing of the construction workers by his rival, Romano, that he lunges at him, threatens to expose and kill him. The film's most shocking example of machismo, however, is when a character literally displays his genitalia when a woman knowingly challenges his masculinity. The affront is so severe, he is literally unable to contain himself.

The film subtly plays with societal conflict as well, as it's set in 1970s Argentina during the time of violent political upheaval around the authoritarian regime of Juan Peron. The Secret in their Eyes never overtly deals with political aspects other than when the characters are confronted by political, class or societal realities. They are not discussed by the characters but simply acknowledged as real and something to be factored in or dealt with.

Each of the characters in The Secret in their Eyes is powerfully affected by time. They each assess the choices made or not made and the consequences of the chosen path on their lives. The stunning ending serves as the film's most shocking example of consequences. It is worthy of its surprise win of Best Foreign Language film from last year's Oscars over the expected contenders of A Prophet and The White Ribbon. It also won Best Spanish Language Foreign film at the Goyas (The Goya's being the Spanish equivalent to the American Oscars). If you're tired of going to the movies just to watch something blow up, you may want to consider The Secret in their Eyes. And if you can, see it at the most obscure movie house possible. Don't sneak in snacks. Buy something from the concession stand and make a donation while you're at it.

Lastly, rest assured that while we enjoyed a detour into the more obscure, He Said, She Said will continue to review both the regular Hollywood fare and occasionally something with subtitles.

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