Multi-Layered Oscar Winner

Rating: 6/10 (16 March 2010)

I never would have even heard of this movie, if not for its unexpected Oscar win in the category of Best Foreign Language Film.
This is a Foreign Language film which could have been set anywhere in the world. There was nothing really uniquely Argentinean about its characters and situation. A retired investigator wants to write a novel about a 25-year old unresolved brutal rape-murder case that affected him the most. He reconnects with the people associated with the case to get insights about his writings. In the process, he discovers more about this cold case, as well as about his own self and his relationships.
The film works as a crime mystery-thriller. It also works as a romance drama. There are also scenes of fine comedy. These multiple layers were well-combined and well-executed into one fine film. The camera work is very good with its focus on the eyes of the characters, as the title would suggest. There were also very exciting action shots during the soccer stadium scenes.
Unfortunately, there were some flaws in the plot development, with incredible jumps of deduction and coincidences which may strain credulity and logic. Something totally trivial and incidental turned out to be the most revelatory clue, more than once in the story. The ending is something which may impress some, and disappoint others. I personally liked the eerie way it was done despite the melodramatic manner.
Overall, there is nothing so spectacular about this film that makes it truly outstanding. Of the nominated Foreign Language films this year, I definitely liked "The Secret of Their Eyes" more than "The White Ribbon" and "A Prophet." However, when you compare this to the nominees of last year's Oscar for Foreign Language Film, I liked "Departures," "The Class," "Waltz With Bashir" and "Revenge" more than this one.