Secrets & Lies (film)

Name	Secrets & Lies
Caption	film poster
Director	Mike Leigh
Producer	Simon Channing-Williams
Writer	Mike Leigh
Starring	Brenda BlethynMarianne Jean-BaptisteTimothy SpallPhyllis Logan
Music	Andrew Dickson
Cinematography	Dick Pope
Editing	Jon Gregory
Distributor	October Films
Released
Runtime	142 minutes
Country
Language	English
Budget	$4.5 million

Secrets & Lies is a 1996 British film directed by Mike Leigh and starring Brenda Blethyn, who won the award for Best Actress at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival. The film won numerous other awards, including the Palme d'Or, and received five Academy Award nominations.

Plot

The film tells the story of Hortense Cumberbatch, a successful black optometrist, who is adopted. She chooses to trace her family history and discovers that her birth mother, Cynthia Purley, is a working class white woman. She meets her and later meets Cynthia's brother, Maurice Purley, a photographer, and his wife Monica, and Cynthia's daughter Roxanne.

The film opens with a scene of the funeral of the female protagonist's adoptive mother. The camera then cuts to a scene of a photographer (Maurice) taking pictures of a bride. We then witness a scene between Maurice and his wife Monica discussing their niece, Roxanne. It is then revealed that Roxanne is a street cleaner.

It is evident that severe tensions exist between Roxanne and her mother, Cynthia. Both mother and daughter are frustrated with one another and getting on one another's nerves. The mother feels that Roxanne should 'get herself a bloke.' Cynthia becomes angry at Roxanne and implies that life would have been easier had Roxanne never been born.

We then meet Hortense, who happily interacts with a child patient. From her mannerisms, she clearly derives pleasure from her profession. It is apparent that both Hortense and Maurice/ Monica experience domestic tensions. This is clear when Maurice comes home from work to find an agitated Monica hoovering and acting in an abrasive manner. Although Monica comes across as being abrupt, later scenes reveal that she suffers from severe menstrual cramps and Monica makes a concerted effort to placate matters and be contrite. Maurice and Monica behave in a more civilised manner when he brings her a hot water bottle and he discusses his plans for dinner.

Hortense then meets with Jenny Ford with a view to contacting her birth mother. They exchange casual dialogue and then Jenny asks why Hortense has chosen this particular moment in time to make an effort to contact her mother. Hortense reveals that her adoption was 'never really an issue.' Jenny is frank with Hortense and states that Hortense's birth mother might not want to see Hortense. Jenny's advice is for Hortense to 'have a think' and then come back to her when she is ready. Later a confused Hortense confronts Jenny because the papers reveal that her birth mother is white. Hortense's feelings towards her birth mother are not hostile. She is curious and wants to ask her adoptive mother questions.

Hortense embarks upon a quest to accumulate information about Cynthia Purley. She is motivated by a desire to be non-confrontational and wants more information about her past. Meanwhile, Maurice pays a visit to his sister Cynthia, who is surprised to see him. Although they are a bit awkward with one another at first, they discuss birthday party plans for Roxanne. Cynthia expresses her vulnerable side when she bursts into tears and Maurice attempts to comfort her. She refers to him affectionately as her little brother and asks him when he is going to shave. When Maurice leaves, he gives Cynthia some cash, which Cynthia accepts.

Matters are complicated when Hortense rings Cynthia and asks for a 'Cynthia Rose Purley', and starts talking about a baby "Elizabeth Purley', born in 1968. When Cynthia realises that Hortense is her daughter whom she gave up for adoption, she hangs up the phone and vomits in the kitchen sink. Hortense is still determined to find out more about her background. She rings Cynthia again and Cynthia is apprehensive about answering the telephone. She tells Hortense that she 'mustn't come around here sweetheart.' Hortense is adamant about meeting her mother and gives an emotional Cynthia her telephone number. Later on, Cynthia rings Hortense to arrange a meeting. It is easy to agree upon a time as Cynthia claims that she 'is never bloody doing anything.' When they hang up, Hortense comments to herself that she does not know what Cynthia looks like.

Outside Holborn tube station, where they have arranged to meet, Hortense introduces herself to Cynthia who feels that a grave mistake has been made. She feels that it is 'someone having a joke.' Hortense convinces Cynthia to have a cup of tea. Hortense asks Cynthia to look at a document. Upon reeading the document, Cynthia replies 'I can't be your mother. Look at me.' Cynthia is careful not to disrespect Hortense, who is very patient and is sympathetic towards her mother. Cynthia then begins to cry and then states that she is ashamed. Hortense then wants to know who her father is, to which Cynthia replies 'I can't tell you that.' Cynthia feels as if she has been a big disappointment to Hortense and tells Hortense that she is not married. While Cynthia breaks down in tears, Hortense does not appear to be sad and is curious about Cynthia. Hortense inquires about Cynthia's daughter to which Cynthia replies that Roxanne works for the council. In this scene, Cynthia is exceptionally teary-eyed and extremely emotional. She states that she was only sixteen when she gave her baby away for adoption.

Roxanne is surprised when she witnesses her mother going somewhere and she feels that her mother has been acting funny. Cynthia and Roxanne meet for a drink and they attempt to break the ice. Cynthia reads Hortense's palm and feels that she is a nice girl. Cynthia then feels badly that she did not acknowledge Hortense's birthday. Hortense and Cynthia then meet in the evening where they amuse one another and speak about men. They share a drink and a discussion about Roxanne. Cynthia mentions the birthday party for Roxanne. She also gives Hortense a gift. She then asks Maurice if she can bring a mate from work to Roxanne's party. Cynthia relays this information to Hortense who replies that she would feel a bit awkward. Despite these feelings, she agrees to attend.

The day of the barbecue arrives and Monica makes an effort for everyone to feel welcome. Maurice tells Roxanne that she has a good brain and should be in college. Roxanne does not take this suggestion seriously. Hortense arrives at Monica's and Cynthia describes Hortense as a mate from work. Everyone gathers for the barbecue and Maurice prepares the food. During the meal Hortense answers many questions which are put to her by the other guests. Hortense says that she is pursuing medical research and endeavours to be evasive. Tensions erupt when Roxanne blows out her birthday candles.

Cynthia begins to act in an exceptionally nervous manner. She states that Hortense takes after her mother and that Hortense is her daughter. Everyone dismisses this claim and states that 'she has had too much to drink.' Roxanne is horrified and storms out of the house. Maurice attempts to placate matters by confronting Roxanne at a nearby bus stop.

Matters are far from resolved. Maurice attempts to convince Roxanne to speak to her mother again and Cynthia apologises to her profusely. Cynthia then explains that she got pregnant at fifteen and her father sent her away. Cynthia did not expect Hortense to come back. Cynthia then accuses Monica of being selfish. Maurice reveals that Monica is physically incapable of having children. Maurice then loses his temper and states that he has spent his whole life trying to make people happy and that he cannot take it any more. He apologises to Hortense.

Hortense and Roxanne speak to one another and Hortense reveals that she always wanted a sister. Roxanne reveals that she would be happy to introduce Hortense as her half-sister.

Cast

Timothy Spall as Maurice Purley

Phyllis Logan as Monica Purley

Brenda Blethyn as Cynthia Rose Purley

Claire Rushbrook as Roxanne Purley

Marianne Jean-Baptiste as Hortense Cumberbatch

Elizabeth Berrington as Jane

Michele Austin as Dionne

Lee Ross as Paul

Lesley Manville as Social Worker

Ron Cook as Stuart

Emma Amos as Girl with Scar

Brian Bovell as Hortense's Brother

Trevor Laird as Hortense's Brother

Claire Perkins as Hortense's Sister-in-Law (as Clare Perkins)

Elias Perkins McCook as Vardan Petrosian

Production

Although Leigh is credited with writing the screenplay, most of the performances were improvised: Leigh told each of the actors about their roles, and let them create their own lines.

Secrets and Lies was partly filmed in Whitehouse Way, Southgate, London.

The emotional scene in the bar, in which Cynthia realises that she is indeed Hortense's mother, was filmed in a single uninterrupted take of almost 8 minutes. Brenda Blethyn was not told beforehand that Hortense is black, making her reaction in this scene more authentic.

Awards

The film was a critical success. It has a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes with an average rating of 8.7.

The film won the prestigious Palme d'Or and Best Actress (Brenda Blethyn) awards at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival,

BAFTA

* Best Actress - Brenda Blethyn - WON

* Best Film

* Best British Film - WON

* Best Screenplay - WON

* Best Supporting Actress

Positive pickets

This film was the subject of "positive pickets" by the adult adoptee rights organization Bastard Nation, which used it as a vehicle to raise awareness of sealed birth records in the United States and Canada. (See No More Secrets and Lies: Bastard Nation's Positive Picket(November 1996 - March 1997)

Director Mike Leigh and actress Brenda Blethyn met with Bastard Nation activists at a positive picket in Beverly Hills on March 10, 1997, where they were presented with Bastard Nation T-shirts.

See also

BFI Top 100 British films

References

External links

Category:1996 films Category:British films Category:English-language films Category:1990s drama films Category:Adoption-related works Category:Films directed by Mike Leigh Category:Films featuring a Best Drama Actress Golden Globe winning performance Category:Films set in London Category:Palme d'Or winners