Deadly Little Secrets (2001)

What, No deleted scenes?

This movie is a mess. Nothing makes sense. It seems like half the story is missing. While watching it, I kept trying to fill out the gaps in my mind, but eventually I stopped because I was nearly bored to death. If there's not going to be a good story, then you need sex and action. This movie has no action and no sex. It's all a big tease. On the good side, the acting and production values are good, but that's about it. April 9, 2004

NOT SO DEADLY SECRETS

Fiona McKenzie's "indie" DEADLY LITTLE SECRETS has a lot of potential going for it: Dylan Walsh ("Congo" "True Crimes") is its charming lead; lovely Dina Meyer ("Starship Troopers") looks as beautiful as ever, and even Craig Sheffer ("Night Breed") is in the cast. So what went wrong?
First of all, let's try plausibility: why was Sheffer knocking off the pro athletes? Hints of sexual release aren't sharply defined.
Second: what is with the lesbian romance between Meyer and Michelle Hicks?
Third: Why was Meyer anxious to get the child back if it wasn't hers?
And why did these two girls let the killings go on without informing someone?
And why was Walsh given a mandatory leave---hints of "inappropriate behavior."
It ends up a decent film, with Walsh basically lost in a thankless "hero" role---but if he was a cop, he does some pretty stupid things, e.g., why does he try and lose his FBI backup after locating the fleeing Meyer?
Sheffer doesn't convince in his demented role, looking more like a modern Prince Valiant in the climax. And does he die in the end????
Not an awful movie, but one that missed a lot of potential. January 2, 2004

Deadly Fun...

I was in the mood for unpretentious unpredictability when I picked this one up, and I wasn't disappointed. Lots of twists--but not twists for twists' sake. I love Michele Hicks and Dina Meyer (sp?) is starting to grow on me.

More than anything, I love indies when they bring in a high quality film without the bells and whistles and overkill of the big studios.

This one should go in your suspense library to be seen multiple times! April 26, 2003

Extraordinary Film

A suprisingly fantastic thriller from an independent film maker! For those who haven't seen it, WATCH IT! March 14, 2003

"Secrets" should be shared with friends

Deadly Little Secrets' represents everything good about independent film. It is biting, memorable and most of all intelligent. This film has an excellent and compelling story, beautiful artistry and performances by little known actors of which they should all be proud. Craig Sheffer, in particular, after several forgettable earlier performances, seemed to have really hit the mark with this role. I could tell how much he bonded to and loved his character.

The story moves at a comfortable pace, giving the viewer just enough time to take in all the subtlety of the performances and the scenery (of which there is a lot), while never dragging its feet or stumbling. The story also possess the rare quality of being both complicated, as the character maneuver through the various twists and turns of the plot, and very direct, almost simplistic, presentation of the larger issues with which the film grapples.

I was most impacted by the amazing atmosphere that the entire story seems to create. In many films I have seen, the story is presented, and a picture is shown, and most of the time the two are completely unconnected. But with `Deadly Little Secrets' the two are so seamlessly crafted together that I actually lost myself completely in the world that was being presented to me.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a big budget attempt at this same story, or at least the themes it so richly portrayed, come out of Hollywood in the near future.

In the end, if you want big budget eye candy that spits on your mind, go see the next Lucas film. But if you want a film that is actually crafted to be smart and effecting then share `Secrets' with your friends. March 6, 2003

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