Interestingly enough, given the fact that Leigh has always been considered a 'very English' director, the major funding for the film came from France's Ciby 2000, a sign of his burgeoning international reputation and acceptance. Marianne Jean-Baptiste plays Hortense, a young black optometrist living in London. Upon the death of her adopted mother, she sets out to track down the woman who gave birth to her. By way of contrast, Cynthia's brother, Maurice, underplayed to perfection by Mike Leigh stalwart Timothy Spall, is a prosperous wedding photographer. Overcoming her initial reactions and coming to terms with the fact that Hortense is black, Cynthia develops a warm and loving relationship with her daughter, but things go awry when she tries to introduce Hortense into her own little world.
All hell breaks loose as the family's 'secrets and lies' are gradually revealed.
Reminiscent of Leigh's earlier work, Secrets and Lies captures the humour, warmth and compassion that comprise an essential part of his character and artistic creativity. While Secrets and Lies will never take him into the mainstream, in these topsy-turvy times for the independent sector, it still represents his best chance to date.