Secrets & Lies

1996
R
2h 16m

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

48K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer0:31

Following the death of her adoptive parents, a successful young black optometrist establishes contact with her biological mother -- a lonely white factory worker living in poverty in East Lo... Read allFollowing the death of her adoptive parents, a successful young black optometrist establishes contact with her biological mother -- a lonely white factory worker living in poverty in East London.Following the death of her adoptive parents, a successful young black optometrist establishes contact with her biological mother -- a lonely white factory worker living in poverty in East London.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

8.0/10

48K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

4,887

182

See production info at IMDbPro

Nominated for 5 Oscars
- 36 wins & 47 nominations total

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Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
To add a spontaneous effect to the performances, Mike Leigh met with each actor individually and only told them what their character would know at the beginning of the film. As filming progressed the actors were hearing the secrets for the very first time.

Goofs
When Roxanne pushes Cynthia onto the bed, the shadow of a crew member's head is seen moving on the bed.

Quotes
Maurice: Secrets and lies! We're all in pain! Why can't we share our pain? I've spent my entire life trying to make people happy, and the three people I love the most in the world hate each other's guts, and I'm in the middle! I can't take it anymore!

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Extreme Measures/Secrets & Lies/2 Days in the Valley/Caught/Ed's Next Move (1996)

Soundtracks
Happy Birthday to You
Words by Patty S. Hill & Mildred J. Hill (as Mildred Hill)
© Keith Prowse Music Pub Co. Ltd./EMI
Sung by the family at Roxanne's birthday party

User reviews192

Review

Featured review

Magic

The way Leigh weaves a story here - no screenplay, just tell the actors what the scenes are supposed to do, give them an outline, but don't give away the punch line or the ending - shows up in the final print. This is cinematic magic, with Blethyn turning in one of the most breathtaking performances ever seen on the silver screen. The transformation into Cynthia Purley is total. Study especially the scene in the cafe in Holborn - story has it these two principals had not met before shooting this scene, and the scene goes on forever, and puts incredible demands on both actors, especially Blethyn, who is simply unreal in her abilities. All do a great job here. This is not a light comedy. It will tear at you, thanks in part to the evocative music, but at the end you will go 'wow' and feel good for having seen it.