very good, but demands some patience and concentration from it's audience

Rating: 8/10 (29 January 2012)

"The Secret in Their Eyes" was one of a small number of films that I was willing to take a chance on buying without seeing. I bought this DVD for 2 dollars from my local video shop which is closing(a whole different story, and a shame). The DVD looked like it had never been viewed.
I love foreign film. I think it's a real escape from the Hollywood trash that's coming out of late, and a truly great way to find some more obscure/under-viewed releases of the highest quality.
This is not a film for kids. The themes and the pacing are geared towards an adult audience. Not only that, but the films subtitles move at a break-neck pace. I sure wish I spoke the language so that I might be able to enjoy more of the visual style of this film. Maybe I'll watch it again dubbed. That's something I don't usually prefer, but this film might actually open-up to some viewers like myself if you/I do so.
The film really demands the audiences attention. It jumps back in forth in time, and the characters are rather candid and restrained. The story isn't all that confusing, but it's played out like backdrop, or something that's there, but not always the center of attention. I'm still not sure if I would classify this as more of a thriller, or a romance. It's rather uncomfortable to finally return to dialog-driven cinema. Let's face it - America has turned into a bunch of action-junkies.
I have the feeling that I'll raise this rating after a second viewing. This is definitely the type of film that divulges new and fascinating secrets with repeat viewings. Some people will watch this and never want to watch it again(many won't even make it to the halfway point), and then some will watch it five times to 'take it all in'.
This is a "heavy" film.
I wouldn't rent this(or buy it) unless you really have the time to sit down and concentrate on the film. The film is long and hard to follow for the first time viewer. If you take your attention away for one minute you'll feel lost in that weight. You probably won't have missed anything, but you'll want to rewind it and make sure.
I kind of feel like this film beat the crap out of me. The last time I got that feeling was after P.T. Anderson's "There Will Be Blood". I think that is actually a really good comparison. Two totally different plots and time periods, but two crushingly powerful films.
Careful with this one!