Unlike American films attempting to tackle such a tangle of relationships, the British do so in a manner which spares the viewer not one inch for syrupy happy endings or sterilised overpasses where difficult subjects are concerned. The film at times is relentless, but one can only feel a mounting sense of joy as the story unfolds, and unfolds, and keeps unfolding ! Like ''The Full Monty'', this is a film that HAD to be made in Britain although the basic story-line could certainly have taken on the resemblance of something out of the Northeastern US (for example). Brenda Blethyn (Best Actress nomination) and Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Best Supporting Actress nomination) should have taken home statues on Oscar night. This was the best picture of 1996, make no mistake about it ! Top rating (5 stars of 5).
Review of Secrets & Lies
