Set in Buenos Aires in both 1974 and 1999, the Secret in their Eyes follows two narratives. The first narrative is told via flashback form and follows federal agent Benjamin Esposito (Ricardo Darin) attempting to catch the man who has raped and killed Liliana Coloto. Aiding him is Coloto's husband Ricardo Morales, (Pablo Ragos) his assistant with a drinking problem, Pablo Sanchoval, and head judge Irene Menedez Hastings (Soledad Villamil) which Benjamin has always had feelings for.
In 1999, we see the retired Esposito struggling to write his first book. Looking for inspiration, he revisits the old case, as well as his feelings for Hastings.
If there is one way to describe this film, it is as a damning indictment of the corrupt Argentinean justice system. This is manifested within the character of Romano – a rival prosecutor of Benjamin Esposito.
Romano quickly tries to pin Liliana’s rape and murder on two innocent immigrant workers of which he beats until they confess. Even after Esposito discovers the true killer, Isidoro Gomez, and imprisons him for life, he is freed after a year.
And this is once again because of Romano who has freed Gomez to exploit his murderous tendencies. Gomez is used as an enforcer to combat the left-wing guerrillas who are attacking Maria Peron’s far-right government. Romano senses that Esposito will expose him and sends hit-men to kill him, but they kill Sanchovar instead.
Sanchovar was a tragic character throughout, his weakness for drink destroyed his marriage and his life, but he died a hero. When the hit-men ask him if he is Esposito, he lies by saying he is. This act of protection costs him his life. In many ways, Sanchovar is the opposite of Romano. While they both have flaws, Sanchovar is driven by his innate compassion, while Romano is motivated by his desire for power. Gomez remains a free man.
But this railing against the corrupted government prevails at the end of the film. In the present-day 1999 narrative, Esposito is struggling to think of a suitable end to his book. He tracks down Ricardo Morales who is living in a rural area of Beunos Aires. Esposito questions Morales over how he has managed to continue living 25 years after the rape and murder of his wife – just how he was able to continue, especially after previously obsessing over the case.
Morales says that he kidnapped and shot Gomez, but it is revealed that he has actually been keeping him prisoner in his home for 25 years. And Morales did this, because he lost his faith in the justice system. Gomez was supposed to be imprisoned for life. Instead, he was released after a year, so Morales took the law into his own hands.
If there is anywhere where the film missteps, I think it is in the romantic subplot between Esposito and Menedez. I do understand what they were going for here, but I think it needed a bit more exploration. It would have been nice to have seen more time focussed on this storyline.
But overall, this was a very enjoyable film with a stylised cinematography, strong performances and an interesting social commentary.
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