The Secret in Their Eyes

Winner of the most recent Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, this mystery from Juan José Campanella does a pretty good job of keeping you in the dark while providing some nice performances. Ricardo Darín stars as an Argentinean federal justice agent who worked on a rape and murder case in the early ’70s. Looking back on his life, and deciding to write a novel based on the case, he works out some issues with people he loves and people he pities. Darin is especially good—he usually is—as is Soledad Villamil as his boss and forbidden love interest. The film has an ending you won’t guess, offering a satisfying conclusion to its mystery. I’m still surprised this one beat out The White Ribbon at the Oscars, but it’s a very good movie for the brain in the midst of summer blockbuster season.