The Secret in Their Eyes (2010) R

This is the 2010 Oscar winning Best Foreign Language Film of the Year. It came from Argentina this time around. The nominees this year were this film, A Prophet, Ajami, The White Ribbon, and The Milk of Sorrow. I've now seen three of the films. A Prophet currently sits at #2 on my best films of 2010 list. The White Ribbon was so terrible it hurts to talk about it. So, it's a mixed bag. Juan Jose Campanella directed this thrilling Oscar winner. He's best known for his work on a wide range of television series' like House, Law & Order, 30 Rock and Strangers with Candy.

This film stars a bunch of unknown actors from South America, which makes sense. We follow the life and past of Benjamin Esposito (Ricardo Darin). In 1974 he was a federal justice agent. He worked alongside good pal Pablo Sandoval (Guillermo Francella), not to be confused with the San Francisco Giants 3B; and the beautiful Irene Hastings (Soledad Villamil). He's always had feelings for Irene, but has never been able to muster the courage to do anything about it.

The movie starts in 1999, 25 years later. Benjamin is now retired and can't seem to find a way to pass the time. He's divorced and alone every day of his life. He decides that he will write a book on a case he once had. The case was the rape and murder of 23 year old Liliana Morales (Carla Quevedo). It's a case that has never quite left his mind. We're not exactly sure why just yet. Benjamin goes to visit Irene at the agency where she stills works, 25 years later. They haven't spoken in many years. She thinks it's a good idea to write a novel, but perhaps on another subject. He disagrees. From this point on we jump back and forth between 1974-1975 and 1999. The majority of the film is in flashback mode.

In 1974 a beautiful young girl named Irene gets assigned to Benjamin and Pablo's office. They're both very attracted to her, but she is their boss. A rape and murder case comes in through the wire. They're reluctant to take the case, but are forced into it. They visit the crime scene. Young Liliana Morales lays on the floor naked, beaten, bloody, and lifeless. Benjamin then decides to poor his heart and soul into this case. He promises her husband Ricardo (Pablo Rago), that he will catch the murderer, no matter what it takes.

His alcoholic partner Pablo spends the majority of his time away from work at the bar, despite having a wife at home. He even drinks on the job. He's sort of a nihilist. There's a break in the their case, but it comes from another agent who hates Benjamin and Pablo. He arrests two men who had nothing to do with the death of Liliana, and Benjamin knows it. He can't quite prove a man named Isidoro Gomez (Javier Godino) did it, but he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt it was him. He can see it in his eyes.

They're forced to drop the case. About a year later Benjamin runs into Liliana's husband Ricado. He spends his time off at the train station waiting and looking for Gomez. Benjamin demands they reopen the case, but is denied once again. So, Benjamin and Pablo take matters into their own hands. They put some pieces together and come up with a theory that Gomez goes to every home game of the local football (we call it soccer) team. Game after game they attend sold out football games hoping to spot Gomez in the crowd. While at the fourth game they seem to have lost all hope when Benjamin sees Gomez out of the corner of his eye. He calls out his name and Gomez goes running. After a fantastic foot race through the stadium, Gomez jumps and breaks his leg and is caught.

Benjamin and Irene interrogate Gomez and finally get him to confess. That can't be it, can it? Nope. Gomez gets released by Benjamin's old co-worker that had it out for him. Gomez is now an informant and a hit man for the government. I will post a picture of a brutally intense scene with Irene, Ben and Gomez in a elevator.

Benjamin and Pablo now find themselves in danger of being murdered by Gomez and his goons. Pablo gets drunk one night and Benjamin brings him back to his place to spend the night. Benjamin goes out for a few minutes and when he comes back Pablo's brains are splattered all over the wall. He knows it was Gomez, and he knows he's next. So he jumps on the next train out of town, leaving Irene, his love. All she wants to do is come with him, but he's too blind to realize it.

That brings us to 1999. Benjamin finishes the novel, but just can't seem to find the right ending. Irene suggests the ending hasn't happened yet. So, Benjamin digs deeper into the case and comes across something that changes everything.

This is a phenomenal film that takes a while to make complete sense with all the flashbacks and the subtitles. But when the pieces begin to fit and the story begins to hit its stride, this film is fantastic. I know most people won't take my advice, but this film is a must see, it's that simple.

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