A young biologist (Sylvie) is thrown into confusion when her brother (Paul) tries to persuade her that their father, who fell off a train five years ago, was actually killed by his right hand man (Walser). Walser now runs their father's company. Sylvie is not convinced, but Paul has decided to have his revenge.... (Full plot summary below)
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A young biologist (Sylvie) is thrown into confusion when her brother (Paul) tries to persuade her that their father, who fell off a train five years ago, was actually killed by his right hand man (Walser). Walser now runs their father's company. Sylvie is not convinced, but Paul has decided to have his revenge.
Leave your thoughts about Secret Defense.
| New YorkerRichard BrodyWith suave and feline images by the cinematographer William Lubtchansky, Rivette offers a virtual documentary on modern bourgeois solitude ... |
| Chicago ReaderJonathan RosenbaumThe acting is so strong--with Spall a particular standout--that you're carried along as by a tidal wave. |
| MovieMartyr.comJeremy HeilmanRivette uses this time to flesh out his characters and their actions to the point where the movie feels closer to a novel than cinema. |
| Empire MagazineDavid ParkinsonYes, it's long, but Bonnaire holds it together with a statuesques and human performance, and whilst not Rivette's best, this is still a fascinating example of his work. |
| New York TimesStephen HoldenAs the glacially paced film inches forward with its halting conversations and accusatory glances, it tests your patience. And when the truth ultimately tumbles out and more violence erupts, don't expect a catharsis. |
| User ReviewRichard DAn immensely strange film from Rivette. On the surface it's a thriller, but it's 3 hours long and really has about as much plot as you'd expect from a film of regular length. Genre conventions are largely thrown away here. The build up to what action there is is drawn out to incredible lengths without really attempting to build up suspense. The action is staged rather casually and indifferently. The plot centers on a murder and there's a twist, but it's all a bit sketchy and indifferently thought out. This will all make it sound like I didn't like the film, but I liked it a great deal. It all serves to highlight the stupidity and irrevocable nature of the violence. Besides that, it's extremely well-written in the sense that the actors are given a lot of thoughtful dialogue and actions inside the clumsily executed thriller maneuvers. |
| User ReviewGabriel KCalling this movie "deliberately paced" is understatement, but a patient viewer will appreciate its meditative approach to storytelling. Long train rides never seemed so meaningful. |
