Although the film is artfully shot taking advantage of dazzling cinematography and set pieces, the story happens to be very conventional in its outcome

Rating: 5/10 (21 March 2010)

The Secret In Their Eyes is an Argentinian entry in this year's best foreign picture race at Oscars. Juan Jose Campanella may be an acclaimed director in his country, but his combination of murder mystery, romance and drama just wears thin being nothing more than ordinary. Although the film is artfully shot taking advantage of dazzling cinematography and set pieces, the story happens to be very conventional in its outcome. Besides, the narrative is far from gripping that is the result of subpar writing and unmemorable performances by actors. I was never particularly enthralled with the exception of two subsequent scenes. The first involves a superbly directed chase after a presumed murderer at the stadium, while the second showcases his hilarious interrogation in which his manhood is being questioned by a female investigator. These are the only sequences that really stand out in this overall boring movie that struggles to make any impression on you throughout its running time. Even somewhat surprising ending doesn't help. 5/10 (C)