In Secret

In Secret boasts vigor and thematic richness, that feeling of artists expressing something vital.

There’s never any doubt that this will end badly for the lovers. But just in case, Jessica Lange as the fire-breathing mother-in-law seals the deal.

Sensitive performances from a willing cast bring Zola's novel to life on the big screen.

A film rich in atmosphere but emotionally as blunt as its title.

It's imprisoned by its own glibness, grabbing for sensation over emotion, and looking silly whenever it misses.

In Secret is so stifled, it makes “Les Misérables” look like “Amélie.”

It takes a special talent to turn the romantic lyricism of Zola and turn it into chick-lit.

A tale of tragic secret affair. I never heard of it, but I found it accidentally and then decided to watch after learning it has a good cast. I mean not that they are the very popular ones right now in the Hollywood, maybe except Elizabeth Olsen, but awesomely played their roles. All the main four characters were very crucial throughout the narration. Like the title say, it was about a secret love affair between a young married woman and her handicapped husband's close friend. In between them, a mother of one of them played an important part in the story that brings a twist in the later part. An affair means, going any extent to achieve what they want for the permanent basis. But not all the affairs, but in this one it gets darker while the story progresses. One thing I liked very much was the tale never intended to label any of its characters as a villain. That balance was so brilliant, but I did not know that, so I always expected something very bad to happen and then, except in one scene which changes the course of the rest of the film. The cinematic feel is there, but it was more like in the real life event. No ones are evil and no ones are heroes, but everyone does all the good and bad things in their life and how serious those harmful acts, particularly how it destroys who are all involved in it was the film excellently told. It was based on the 150 years old French novel. It is also set in at the same time, I mean the 1860s, Paris. The recreation of the era was very good, but my only concern was the pace and the length of the film. Feels boring in some parts, other than that I got no issue with it. Having good actors with a decent direction, still it is like to belong in the B movie category. Though the overall effort from everyone was amazing and that's the reason you should watch it. 6.5/10

A beautiful young woman (Elizabeth Olsen) is trapped in a marriage to her sickly cousin (Tom Felgon) and dominated by her aunt (Jessica Lange). Passion materializes in the form of a family friend (Oscar Isaac) and leads to multiple tragedies. This dark (literally), dark (thematically) drama is set in mid-18th century Paris, when apparently, it was never sunny. The movie barely has any light moments either, choosing instead to mire itself in endless, overwrought emotion. The performances are strong (although Lange does suffer a bit too much) and it starts with promising potential, but the whole thing bogs down midway, becomes almost preposterous and just falls apart.