It’s not very often that a film straddles the thriller / romance genres without descending into predictable dross. In the case of “The Secret In Their Eyes” [otherwise known as "El Secreto de Sus Ojos"], Argentinian director Juan José Campanella knows how to present a story with a maturity and depth.

I was ten minutes into the film and starting to get a little concerned things could get very boring very quickly but, just as you begin to wonder why you’re watching, it all starts to develop – it just takes a while to get used to the pace and style of this slow burner and it is worth the wait. The main plot follows Benjamin Esposito, a retired Argentinian federal justice agent, writing a novel about a past case that was never fully resolved. The more he writes regarding his experiences the more he wants to revisit the real life case to answer some of the mysterious circumstances surrounding it. Through his writing and pursuit of the case in question, Esposito begins to re-open much more from his past including his love for Irene Menéndez Hastings [played by Soledad Villamil], who was also his boss and remains a good friend.

The film takes its time to reveal its intricacies and sensitively handles the relationship between Benjamin and Irene so that you really feel the happiness and heartache. There is also the troubled and comic friendship between Benjamin and his colleague Pablo Sandoval which forms an important part of the whole story. The film never descends into the predictable, crass direction that plagues so many of this genre but occasionally does overstretch itself a little – one notable occasion being the intense Isidoro Gómez interview where Irene applies the pressure to get a confession. It just feels a little contrived and unrealistic that this guy would crumble so easily in this circumstance and that Irene’s fairly transparent tactics would not be completely understood.

There are some incredibly touching moments – particularly when Irene is running along the platform after the train when Esposito leaves. Clichéd though it is, it just doesn’t feel that way because the film has illustrated their connection so carefully to the point that you believe that in real life, Irene really would have done that.

There are a few unpredictable twists and turns within the film that set it apart and whilst Esposito does find the answers to his questions, the conclusion is by no means clear cut. Highly recommended.