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The Secret Laughter of Women

  • 1998
  • 1h 39m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
772
YOUR RATING
The Secret Laughter of Women (1998)
ComedyDramaRomance

A beautiful young single mother feels the pressure from the ex-pat Nigerian community to get married. Her precocious son has met his hero, a cynical English comic book writer and decides he ... Read allA beautiful young single mother feels the pressure from the ex-pat Nigerian community to get married. Her precocious son has met his hero, a cynical English comic book writer and decides he is a match for his mum. The fall for each other but their love is tested by resistance fro... Read allA beautiful young single mother feels the pressure from the ex-pat Nigerian community to get married. Her precocious son has met his hero, a cynical English comic book writer and decides he is a match for his mum. The fall for each other but their love is tested by resistance from the community.

  • Director
    • Peter Schwabach
  • Writers
    • Misan Sagay
    • O.O. Sagay
  • Stars
    • Colin Firth
    • Nia Long
    • Dan Lett
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    772
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Peter Schwabach
    • Writers
      • Misan Sagay
      • O.O. Sagay
    • Stars
      • Colin Firth
      • Nia Long
      • Dan Lett
    • 14User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos4

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    Top cast21

    Edit
    Colin Firth
    Colin Firth
    • Matthew Field
    Nia Long
    Nia Long
    • Nimi Da Silva
    Dan Lett
    Dan Lett
    • John
    Joke Silva
    Joke Silva
    • Nene
    Ariyon Bakare
    Ariyon Bakare
    • Rev. Fola
    Joy Elias-Rilwan
    Joy Elias-Rilwan
    • Mama Fola
    Hakeem Kae-Kazim
    Hakeem Kae-Kazim
    • Dr. Ade
    Bella Enahoro
    • Madame Rosa
    Fizzy Roberts
    • Sammy
    Rakie Ayola
    Rakie Ayola
    • Talking Drum
    Caroline Goodall
    Caroline Goodall
    • Jenny Field
    Ellen Thomas
    Ellen Thomas
    • Bitter Leaf
    Thomas Baptiste
    Thomas Baptiste
    • Papa Fola
    Willie Jonah
    • Old uncle
    Ho Yi
    • Chen
    Kemi Baruwa
    • Sugar
    Mike Koohafkan
    • Jean Claude Delgado
    Nichole Blanchet
    • Mrs Delgado
    • Director
      • Peter Schwabach
    • Writers
      • Misan Sagay
      • O.O. Sagay
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews14

    6.0772
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    Featured reviews

    spw143

    I really enjoyed this film!!!!

    I love Nia Long...and love Collin Firth. So I was very happy to see that they were in a movie together. Overall I thought the concept was good and the little boy very endearing.

    I thought the movie was choppy at times but I think that was primarily due to poor editing...but the acting was solid and believable. The chemistry between the two main characters was understated but passionate.

    I liked the differing cultures at work, the locale was so Belle and the colors were so vibrant from the Nigeran dress I only wished that this film was released here in the states...I had to get a poor copy from Ebay!
    10lovinglife

    The heart sees what the eye cannot

    This is a great movie. When two people from different backgrounds and social status think that they have nothing to offer each other and in the end they what each other needs it a testament to what the heart knows. Sometimes we wonder why one man is with a woman or vise versa and the outward appearances say one thing to our eye, but what they offer each other from within that we cannot see is amazing and unexplainable. When Nimi thought that Matthew had nothing to offer her and when Matthew was only looking for a fling (because he had an open marriage w/his wife Jenny), in the end they realized that they could not and did not want to exist without the other. It was worth it to them to resist what family and friends thought and what society said was right to be with each other. This movie kind of restores my faith in love.
    8cool_mama17

    I love it!

    I love this film. There is something for everyone. It if funny, saddening, passionate and dramatic. The mixture of two completely different cultures creates a whole new world that the viewer cannot help but want to be a part of. I must admit that I am slightly biased, as Colin Firth is my favourite actor and so nothing that he does is wrong in my eyes (!), but in this film his tremendous acting talent is apparent and it is furthered even more by the beautiful acting of his co-star Nia Long. The problems that their love affair suffers makes it, ironically, more believable and the simple features like the contrast between the colours of Matthew's and Nimi's clothes alone, makes this film all the more enchanting. I defy anyone that cannot be moved by this story. I find it enchanting and have watched it at least ten times since I bought the film a week ago!
    9enrightnyc-1

    Single Mom's struggle: do what's expected or follow her heart?

    Personally, I think the movie is pretty good. It almost rates an 8. I liked the ethnography aspect as well as the gorgeous photography. Colin Firth's character isn't the most likable but he does a better than decent job with the role. The heroine, played by the beautiful Nia Long, is a familiar film heroine in that she's trying to do what she thinks is the best for her child -- marrying a respected member of her expatriate community -- while fighting her attraction for the "bad" man -- one who's not a member of her community (the "outsider"). Most of the film is about this mother's struggle: should she do what's expected of her, what she thinks is best for her son or should she follow her heart? I don't want to give away the ending. Let me just say that it's a feel-good movie with gorgeous location shots, exquisite African dress (it's worth seeing the film just for the women's brilliantly colored African clothing and headdresses), and likable characters overall. The actor who plays Nia Long's son is bright and adorable. The plot is a bit formulaic, but I liked the movie nonetheless. If you're a Colin Firth fan you MUST see this film. If you like chic flicks, see it. I think I'll watch it again tonight!
    10seifelnaser

    now thats what i call hot actress

    Man this movie is awesome especially the part they show the Italian chick damn shes incredibly hot shes not your average Italian. Mna i would go see that movie over and over just to see that chick. i really enjoyed the movie really hot girl shes steamy sexy. also the actor are really good but the girl is better. I think the actor played a better part in pride and prejudice so i don't think he acted in his highest level but yeah back to the girl i mean shes gorgeous perfect and i could only wish her luck in her future movies yeah also her acting skills in such young age was awesome i was just amazed Wit her performance. what a great actress so yeah i recommend everybody this great movie

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Présentateur vedette: La légende de Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy
    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama
    Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart in Casablanca (1942)
    Romance

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Quotes

      Nimi Da Silva: Mama, why am I always a cow in your proverbs?

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    FAQ12

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 26, 1999 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • Canada
      • Nigeria
    • Official site
      • Optimum Releasing
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Секретный женский смех
    • Filming locations
      • Ealing, London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • HandMade Films
      • Paragon Entertainment Corporation
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 39m(99 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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