Deadly Little Secrets

Clearly a B-thriller, even one I never heard of. Even, the director, Fiona MacKenzie is unknown. But I came across this DVD on a second hand market and by just looking at it it ringed a bell.

The main lead wasn't unknown for a horror buff like me. Dina Meyer is probably the biggest name. After this flick she went further to the Saw franchise as Detective Allison Kerry. Dylan Walsh played the main lead in the remake of The Stepfather (2009) and Craig Sheffer played the main lead as Cabal in Clive Barker's Nightbreed (1990) and the last main lead Michele Hicks just came from Mulholland Drive (2001). What we see is that even horror actors can act. They were all believable and this movie was over even before you knew it. Even as you know who's the bad guy you still want to know what is happening. There's a bit of nudity in it but nothing really to mention because nothing is shown.

This is in fact a simple no-brainer, the kind that you kept watching until the end credits are over. No effects used and almost no red stuff in it. But still watchable.

Gore 0/5 Nudity 0,5/5 Effects 0/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 0/5

"Deadly Little Secrets" is another B-flick with a B-list cast, good technicals, and okay art. However it can't conceal its low budgetness nor its inability to bring coherence to its silly and convoluted pseudo-suspense/thriller/drama story. The flick has made-in-Canada written all over it, a soap opera quality make-it-up-as-you-go screenplay, and the usual movie magic techno-nonsense. Better than some of those jiggle cam no-budget indies, "DLC" is still little more than an okay watch for the droopy eyed couch potato and a pay check for a cast deserving of a better vehicle for their talent. (C)

Note: The DVD I rented had no English subtitles and no closed captions. However, it did have Spanish language subtitles which the on-screen menu identified as English language. Go figure.

If you like Dina Meyer or fantasize about semi-hot girl on girl action(but avoid outright porn) than you'll enjoy this movie as a rental. The plot is predictable, the editing shoddy at best, and all around it's not that gripping. And it has its moments of blazing stupidity.

This is B through and through. Dina Meyer's acting is great, not excellent, but great. The FBI guys leave much to be desired, and the male lead doesn't really make you care. The villian is actually rather well portrayed, but not all that scary.

Oh, and why oh why does the movie insist on calling an average(At best) looking woman pretty? Did she sleep with the writers? It's all anyone ever says about her in the flick.

`Deadly Little Secrets' represents everything good about independent film. It is biting, memorable and most of all intelligent. This film has an excellent and compelling story, beautiful artistry and performances by little known actors of which they should all be proud. Craig Sheffer, in particular, after several forgettable earlier performances, seemed to have really hit the mark with this role. I could tell how much he bonded to and loved his character.

The story moves at a comfortable pace, giving the viewer just enough time to take in all the subtlety of the performances and the scenery (of which there is a lot), while never dragging its feet or stumbling. The story also possess the rare quality of being both complicated, as the character maneuver through the various twists and turns of the plot, and very direct, almost simplistic, presentation of the larger issues with which the film grapples.

I was most impacted by the amazing atmosphere that the entire story seems to create. In many film I have seen, there is the story, and there is the picture, and most of the time the two are completely unconnected. But with `Deadly Little Secrets' the two are so seamlessly crafted together that I actually lost myself completely in the world that was being presented to me.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a big budget attempt at this same story, or at least the themes it so richly portrayed, come out of Hollywood in the near future.

In the end, if you want big budget eye candy that spits on your mind, go see the next Lucas film. But if you want a film that is actually crafted to be smart and effecting then share `Secrets' with your friends.