Secrets & Lies

Leigh’s method looks so simple. He comes up with several situations that could be encountered anywhere, casts actors who improvise with ease and starts filming. His approach to capturing the major dramas of ordinary people is actually much more conscientious, as it requires precise preparation and a lot of patience, as well as a bit of luck. In any case, it is not obvious from the result that it was long planned and thought out. It gives the impression of being very raw and very lively. Whenever the content of a scene allows it, Leigh lets the camera run without interruption and the actors do their work in one take. Particularly in scenes with multiple characters, however, I would not omit the visual composition, which serves for clarity and tells about the relationships between the characters. The dominant blue-grey hue corresponds to the “freezing” of feelings, the inability to openly communicate and fear of the truth and responsibility. These are solemn topics, but they are very close to the way we live. Despite that, the end of the film still offers a certain degree of hope. 85% (01.08.2018)

More than two hours long conversational drama that shows that Mike Leigh chose absolutely brilliant actors for each role, who handled their parts perfectly. It is human and yet a bit distant, very emotional, but you don't feel like it's overacted. These characters are so well played that you believe their emotions. (23.03.2016)