I nostri segreti

Positive surprise from a Dutch movie production. Strong characters, with a complex psychological background that makes it believable that they do what they do. Bracha delivers a top performance, and Elise is good as usual.

We couldn't see any surreal plotholes or silliness from the main character. Under normal circumstances people may choose differently, but here its not clear whom to trust. The idea that a judge would fall through the cracks and find herself in a position of suspicion makes it extra interesting.

This movie maintained a constant tension of "what will happen next?". While some critics called it painfully slow we didn't experience that at all. Instead, it's never clear what will happen next or how the story will end. This kept us hooked in.

The end isnt your typical ending, which is something I love to see, but its wrap up was very brief and could have used an extra scene or two. Overall enjoyed a good movie night!

And I don't mean just the two of the main characters, but literally everyone - from all of the characters to writers and director.

No one acts in their best interest, and it can't even be explained away as panic, as everyone is calm, just irrational.

For instance, a character lies to the police about something that the police wouldn't really care about, but - for NO reason whatsoever - makes sure to tell the truth to another character who would be upset about it.

Another character pulls an extremely risky and unnecessary stunt in a situation that could have been handled in thousand different ways and each one of them would've made more sense.

Oh, and when it comes to police, nothing about their investigation makes any sense. It feels like the writers asked a six-year-old what they imagine a police investigation looks like, and they actually put it that way in a script.

However, my "favorite" parts were two lame red herrings; one of which is explained away in a pretty silly manner and another one is forgotten as soon as it happens. Can't say much without spoiling it but IF (for whatever reason) you decide to watch it, it will leave you wondering: "What the hell was the meaning of that peculiar detail if it's never going to be mentioned again?"

I feel like I could go on and on about it, and still wouldn't be able to cover all the messy parts of the plot. Pacing which is extremely off and wooden acting do not help. Just avoid it.

There are a lot of good and compelling elements in this Dutch thriller. Two woman go away on a romantic weekend with their lovers, instead of their husbands and one is murdered. It is low budget, but it is engaging and interesting to watch how their romantic deception unravels their families' lives in the midst of the murder. I did have an issue with the main character's reaction to her friends murder, although otherwise I found the acting to be good. I am not sure if a murder investigation is treated as casually outside of the United States as it appears to be here, but that issue unnerved me, a little, when watching. It has twists, which keep it interesting. But, not necessarily, more believable. I do think it is good filmmaking-the cinematography and the Direction are smart. It does keep you guessing, but in the end is messier than it needs to be.

Best friends Bodil and Isabel tell their husbands that they are going away for a short holiday together but in fact they are each providing the other with an alibi so they can have an assignation with somebody else. When Bodil returns to the house they are staying at there is no sign of Isabel. She informs the police she doesn't exactly tell them the truth about what has been happening. When evidence emerges suggesting Isabel has been murdered Bodil will have a hard time being believed as she starts telling the truth. When their husbands arrive on the scene tensions rise and secrets are revealed.

This Dutch film may follow the formula for the genre, plenty of twists and turns and just about everybody being a suspect at some point, but that doesn't mean it isn't fun and the finale is far from obvious. Many reviewers aren't keen on the acting but I thought it was pretty good; especially from Bracha van Doesburgh who plays Bodil. The location, an isolated house near the sea in Belgium adds to the atmosphere nicely. Overall I wouldn't say this was a must see but it passed ninety odd minutes well enough; worth a watch if you enjoy the genre.

These comments are based on watching the film in Dutch with English subtitles.

The premise is interesting - two women using each other as an alibi and then things go wrong. There are a few unreasonable parts of the movie which don't make sense, as other reviewers have said. And yes, I agree, the ending was ridiculous. The acting is not good.

However, I was genuinely entertained. I kept trying to figure out what was happening and who was the bad guy. The movie gets points for that - it's not obvious who the bad guy is, and really, depending on how you define "bad guy," it really gets iffy.

Speaking of which, the characters aren't likable. None of them. So really, the big positives here are story and mystery. And that part was done very well.