On the surface Secret in Their Eyes seems to have no difference in terms of plotting with the various detective shows seen on television. It’s got a determined cop, an unresolved case, an elusive suspect, a gritty interrogation, a stubborn superior, a foot chase, and many other elements that have become the staple of the genre.

What sets it apart is, well, the A-list stars that are at the centre of the thriller. First we got the dependably gorgeous Nicole Kidman playing the always gorgeous-looking district attorney Claire Sloan, then, in contrast, we have Julia Roberts playing FBI investigator Jess Cobb, looking drab and downtrodden which is understandable since in the story she found her daughter brutally murdered then thrown in the dumpster. Though Jess’ arc became the catalyst of the plot but basically these lovely ladies are supporting Chiwetel Ejiofor as Jess’s partner, Ray Kasten, who’s determined to find the killer, even though it might take him 13 years to do so.

But let me set up the bigger picture (because three quality actors do not a movie make): Secret in Their Eyes is a remake of an Argentine film, El Secreto de sus Ojos, that won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2010. I’ve seen the original picture and what I remembered the most was the—if I’m not mistaken—a one-take foot chase inside a stadium, which the remake unfortunately recreates to less than remarkable effect. There are some tweaks to the plot (in the original the victim was a random girl instead of the lead detective’s daughter) but the bare bones remain essentially the same, with the shocking twist still preserved at the end.

It is annoying when Hollywood decided to remake a foreign film just to rid of the hassle of reading subtitles (snooze), but I guess in Secret in Their Eyes defence, it comes five years after the original not a few months (or days) afterwards. It’ll click the “refresh” button for the audience who had seen the original flick, and provides something new for those who haven’t seen it (and who feels troubled with subtitles). And, who knows, perhaps they have the well intention to make more people see how good the story is (and by effect drive the audience to check out the original too), and if that's the case then they have my support to make more remake, God knows how hard it is to find a non Hollywood pictures in my local cinemas. 

The director and scriptwriter of the remake is Billy Ray who written the first Hunger Games and Captain Phillips and directed the solid Shattered Glass (2003). Based on his directorial outing (which includes Breach), Ray does seem to be a perfect fit for the investigative nature of Secret in Their Eyes, and he makes the time jumping structure of the film (between 2002 and 2015) kind of fluid, but the proceedings at times do feels a bit by the numbers and nothing really stands out, save for an intense interrogation scene involving Kidman’s character extracting a confession from the suspect by belittling his physicality and sexuality. It has something interesting to convey though, in that how far the government would obscure facts in other cases in order to catch a terrorist cell. (The flashback is set in post 9/11 Los Angeles where authorities are anticipating for another attack.)

Ultimately what elevates the movie is, yes, the three main stars (though Dean Norris as a detective, Joe Cole as the creepy suspect, and Alfred Molina as the superior also made a memorable mark). Ejiofor is intensely focused and determined in every scene, regret and sorrow also motivating his every action; Roberts admirably looking far less glamorous than Kidman (which one character even noted by saying to her, “you look a million years older”), which is interesting because this character is pretty dark and nothing like any characters she has played before (well, maybe Mary Reilly) but I’m glad she’s exploring that other side of her (and studios for giving her the opportunity); and as Claire Sloan, the character is right up Kidman’s alley because by now the constantly busy actress is used to playing this kind of character: intelligent, attentive, poised, kind of "ice queen-y", well-dressed and coiffed—and if that the type of persona she wants to exude in each of her movies (think The Interpreter or even Grace of Monaco) then by all means I accept wholeheartedly (I’m a big fan of hers so I’m guilty of being biased). It’s a good thing too she has good chemistry with Ejiofor, professionally as well as romantically.

In conclusion, Secret in Their Eyes is a good enough remake, but for some perhaps a good—and shocking—ending alone doesn’t excuse the build-up that’s essentially an ordinary police investigation you’ve seen a million times before. But, for me, dedicated performance can be a satisfactory supporting structure (and please do give a shout out to the adult filmmakers who cast the 48 year old actresses as leads in their obviously adult-oriented movie), oh especially if I can visibly see they have secrets in their eyes.