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IMDbPro

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

    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
    1mad_4_movies

    Amazingly....... AWFUL!

    When my Mum went down to the video store to rent a film for the night my sister and I learned a lesson, to always company my Mum to the video store! In fact the only reason why she chose it was because Colin Firth was in it and she *cough* thinks he's a good actor!

    It starts off with some beautiful veiws of Africa and then goes DOWN AND DOWN AND DOWN, AND DOWN. After this film I was very surprised that Colin Firth got as far as he did since this pointless film could destroy any actors career.

    The story is about a divorced women who's son is trying to matchmake her to a man called Matthew Fields who he met whilst impressing his friends because of his large house.

    Nimi the divorce does not like Matthew at all and is going out with the local vicar who does not like her son John.... and the same with him!

    I am sorry if you disagree with me and i hope i haven't offended you but to all the people who haven't seen this film, I leave you with one word of warning, DON'T WATCH THIS FILM!!!!!
    varineloise

    A very good looking couple in an unrealistic and shallow story

    I have mixed feelings about it, it wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either.

    Something is not quite working, to start with, the whole thing is not very realistic which is not necessarily a problem, but when it tries to be serious it doesn't work.

    A lot of things seemed a bit forced. I also thought the characters were a bit shallow which prevented me to get attached to any of them. I found the kid not a very good actor and irritating at times.

    I did enjoy the 'sweet Colin moments' though, he looks fantastic in the film (fabulous hair!), and beautiful Nia makes a good partner.
    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!
    8efua

    Fascinating.

    I've seen this movie twice already and am very impressed with it.

    The conversations between Nimi and her mother plus Nimi and Matthew are very touching. The Nigerian community is shown very truthfully and as colourfully as it usually is.

    Although certain things could have done with a bit more explanation; if we knew why Matthew was in the South of France in the first place, the scenes following Matthew being found in his car would be more understandable.

    Luckily, Optimum Releasing have a website that has detailed production notes that help to make such scenes better to understand.

    I would go and see it again but unfortunately it had a limited release in London and is not longer available to see. I hope the video release gets it to a bigger audience because the film deserves it.

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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

    Edit

    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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