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Secrets and Lies

Rating
7.7
15,809
Ratings
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6
2
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Original title
Secrets and Lies
Year
Running time
141 min.
Country
United Kingdom United Kingdom
Director
Screenwriter
Cast
Music
Cinematography
Producer
Genre
Drama | Adoption
Synopsis
This powerful drama film follows London doctor Hortense (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), an intelligent middle-class black woman who was adopted and now decides to track down her biological mother. But her daunting discovery is that her natural mother Cynthia (Brenda Blethyn) is white and working class. Cynthia is doubtful of Hortense’s claim until she presents her birth certificate, then Cynthia's painful memories begin to reappear. Cynthia meanwhile is determined to keep her antagonistic daughter Roxanne (Claire Rushbrook) from making the same mistakes she did. What will happen when Hortense traces her real mum? What family secret is Cynthia's brother; wedding photographer Maurice (Timothy Spall) keeping? And the barbecue looms large - as Leigh's parties always do. Cynthia invites Hortense to her daughter's birthday barbecue, choosing that occasion to disclose to her family the true identity of this newcomer.
Rankings Position
Awards
1996: Academy Awards: 5 Nominations: Movie, Director, Actress, Supp. Actress & Screenplay
1996: Golden Globe: Best Actress Drama (Brenda Blethyn). 3 Nominations
1996: 3 BAFTA Awards: Best British Film, Screenplay, Actress (Blethyn). 7 Nominations
1996: Goya Awards: Best European Movie
1996: Cannes Film Festival: Best Film (Golden Palm), Actress (Blethyn), Ecumenical Jury
1996: Cesar Awards: Nominated for Best Foreign Language Picture
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User history
Secrets and Lies
1996
Mike Leigh
7.7
(15,809)
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