The Secret Life of Words
A solitary, mysterious woman (Sarah Polley) who is trying to forget her past is brought to an oil rig to look after a man (Tim Robbins) who has been temporarily blinded. A strange intimacy develops between them, breaking down the walls of silence and cynicism with shared secrets, truths, lies, humour and pain.
Member Reviews
a long and dark journey, but worth it in the end - rdeschene
The only thing I would add to the other reviews is that, in addition to the voice audio levels being too low, there's no English close-captioning available. Ironic given that there's a central character with significant hearing loss ! Other than these production oddities, if you enjoyed "The Princess and the Soldier" or "Secrets & Lies" you will likely enjoy this movie. Excellent minimalistic performances by Sarah Polley and Tim Robbins, and actually this could be produced as a very good dramatic play.Not Easy to Love - Stitch
But Polley rescues this from bathos. Unfortunately she can’t carry it alone, at least sufficiently to gain attention on this side of the ocean--possibly because of its 'art house' approach and because it requires a little effort to abide and forgive a few of the incongruities and clichés.
Granted she does a fine job of demonstrating a severely damaged persona which has isolated her character from normal human interaction. Tim Robbins fits well in the early going since his earthiness is an appealing contrast to her remoteness. Julie Christie’s role is minor and adequate.
Hanna’s isolation is deliberately reinforced by an apt choice of settings and superb camera work. But this theme continues a bit blatantly by introducing two more similar personalities and to me this is gilding the lily. The mussel man I can appreciate but we already got the point. Also, the Brokeback Mountain touch doesn’t add much in my opinion to development of the key theme. But watch for the scene where one of these players uses photos to talk about his family—its implications are boundless.
There are a host of these gems throughout. So I very much appreciate the quality of the direction. But it’s also a distraction because as other reviewers have noted, the admitted excellence of this byplay can be distracting to the point of annoying. No, I’m not asking for more action but for more devotion to development of the core relationship. Lacking this, the resolution just doesn’t ring true…and this is a shame because neither Polley nor Robbins can be faulted.
In summary, first time through this sentimentalist hit the four star button, swayed by Polley’s sympathetic portrayal of a character begging our compassion. But on second viewing I downgraded reluctantly, recognizing just how magnificent it might have been with a firmer hand.
Recommended for fans of understatement augmented by superb visuals. Not a chick flick but more likely to appeal to women.A very slow build... - cathyottawa
...as Rotten Tomatoes says, and as Spiritgirl pointed out - but it is ultimately worth the wait.
Sarah Polley is absolutely mesmerizing in this difficult role. We know there's something wrong with her right from the start - she's withdrawn. Apathetic. Cold. Even unfriendly. And as the film slowly lets us into her secret past, we come to understand, and admire her.
It's a film not so much about healing, as about coping; a film not so much about love, as about compassion and tenderness.
The supporting cast is okay, and Robbins does some nice work, but this is really Polley's movie - and she's just fantastic. Along with her enormous acting talent, she sports a croatian accent in the film, and it's bang on.
Setting this on a largely deserted oil rig was an interesting choice, and adds to the film.
I think this would have made an excellent stage play (maybe someday it will be adapted into one?), but it also makes for quite a good film for the patient viewer. It has a powerful, haunting third act that you won't soon forget.
Member Reviews
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a long and dark journey, but worth it in the end - rdeschene
The only thing I would add to the other reviews is that, in addition to the voice audio levels being too low, there's no English close-captioning available. Ironic given that there's a central character with significant hearing loss ! Other than these production ...Not Easy to Love - Stitch
But Polley rescues this from bathos. Unfortunately she can’t carry it alone, at least sufficiently to gain attention on this side of the ocean--possibly because of its 'art house' approach and because it requires a little effort to abide and forgive a few ...A very slow build... - cathyottawa
...as Rotten Tomatoes says, and as Spiritgirl pointed out - but it is ultimately worth the wait.
Sarah Polley is absolutely mesmerizing in this difficult role. We know there's something wrong with her right from the start - she's withdrawn. Apathetic. ...