Secrets & Lies (1996): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Secrets & Lies is a 1996 comedy drama directed by Mike Leigh, starring Timothy Spall and Brenda Blethyn. It runs 2 hours 16 minutes and earned $13.4 million worldwide on a $4.5 million budget. It won 5 awards from 17 nominations, among them 5 Oscar nominations. Critics gave it 92 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 2h 16m (136 min)
- Director
- Mike Leigh
- Original language
-
English - Budget
- $4.5M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Secrets & Lies About?
The premise of Secrets & Lies without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
A poised eye doctor, Hortense, begins to uncover a difficult past, leading her to confront the truth about her birth mother, Cynthia. As these two women from vastly different backgrounds come together, long-held secrets are revealed, creating tension and challenging their perceptions of family and identity. The story explores the complexities of forgiveness and the power of understanding in the face of buried truths.
Secrets & Lies Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- biological mother
- mother daughter relationship
- birthday party
- search for birth mother
- family secret
- dysfunctional family
- infertility
- kiss
- f rated
- reference to sylvester stallone
- mother
- death
+38 more Show fewer
- leo the astrological sign
- reference to leo the astrological sign
- reference to a zodiac sign
- reference to cancer the constellation
- birth mother
- british renaissance
- ampersand in title
- african anglo
- female protagonist
- parenthood
- empathy
- workplace stress
- civility
- family argument
- race
- reference to marlon brando
- invitation
- birthday cake
- biracial
- long take
- wine
- wedding dress
- underwear
- toilet paper
- temper tantrum
- social worker
- shovel
- shock
- panties
- neurotic
- jealousy
- graveyard
- funeral
- forgiveness
- facial scar
- crying
- cigarette smoking
- brother sister relationship
Secrets & Lies Cast
Timothy Spall leads the cast, with Brenda Blethyn. Directed by Mike Leigh.
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Director Mike Leigh
Secrets & Lies Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Secrets & Lies 92 on Metacritic.
-
Metacritic 92 Metascore
User score 8.5
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 76% User score
See on TMDB
Secrets & Lies Plot Summary
What happens in Secrets & Lies from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Hortense Cumberbatch, a determined black optometrist residing in London, embarks on a heart-wrenching journey to uncover her family history after the passing of her adoptive mother. Despite warnings from public officials about the potential hardships she may face, she resolutely pursues her birth mother, unprepared for the startling revelation that her biological mother, Cynthia Purley, is white. Cynthia, who struggles to make ends meet, works tirelessly at a cardboard box factory in East London alongside her other daughter, Roxanne, a street sweeper. Their relationship is marked by tension and misunderstandings, showcasing the complex dynamics of family ties.
Full summary
The whole story of Secrets & Lies, scene by scene
Secrets & Lies Box Office & Budget
Secrets & Lies grossed $13.4 million worldwide on a $4.5 million budget, 3.0 times what it cost.
Worldwide gross
$13.4M
3.0× its budget
- US & Canada
- $13.4M
- Budget
- $4.5M
Secrets & Lies Awards & Nominations
Secrets & Lies won 5 awards from 17 nominations, among them 5 Oscar nominations. Its biggest night was the BAFTA 1997, with 3 wins from 7 nominations.
5 wins17 nominations5 ceremonies
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BAFTA 1997 3 wins · 7 nominations- Won Best Actress in a Leading Role – Brenda Blethyn
- Won Best Original Screenplay
- Won Outstanding British Film
- Nominated Best Actor in a Leading Role – Timothy Spall
- Nominated Best Actress in a Supporting Role – Marianne Jean-Baptiste
-
Golden Globes 1997 1 win · 3 nominations- Won Best Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama (Actress) – Brenda Blethyn
- Nominated Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy
- Nominated Best Supporting Performance in a Motion Picture – Drama, Musical or Comedy (Supporting Actress) – Marianne Jean-Baptiste
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Spirit Awards 1997 1 win · 1 nomination- Won Best Foreign Film
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Oscars 1997 5 nominations- Nominated Actress in a Leading Role – Brenda Blethyn
- Nominated Actress in a Supporting Role – Marianne Jean-Baptiste
- Nominated Best Picture
- Nominated Directing – Mike Leigh
- Nominated Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen)
Show all 5 ceremonies Show fewer ceremonies
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Actor Awards (SAG) 1997 1 nomination- Nominated Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role – Brenda Blethyn
Secrets & Lies Trailers & Videos
9 videos: 1 trailer, 2 teasers, 2 clips and 4 featurettes.
- Teaser United States TV Spot
- Teaser Channel 4 Promo
- Clip Photo Studio Scene
- Clip Main Title Sequence
How Well Do You Know Secrets & Lies?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What profession does Hortense Cumberbatch pursue?
Cars in Secrets & Lies
12 cars on screen, including the 1995 Ford Fiesta MkIII and the 1972 Daimler Limousine.
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1995 Ford Fiesta MkIII Important role -
1972 Daimler Limousine Minor role -
1990 Fiat Uno Minor role -
1988 Ford Escort MkIV Minor role
Secrets & Lies Also Known As
34 alternative titles, including “Hemmeligheder og løgne” and “Hemmeligheder & løgne”.
- Also known as
-
- Hemmeligheder og løgne
- Hemmeligheder & løgne
- Secrets and Lies
- Secretos y mentiras
- Hemligheter och lögner
- 비밀과 거짓말
- 秘密與謊言
- 秘密与谎言
- Segredos e Mentiras
- Тайни и лъжи
- Secrets et mensonges
- Tajne i laži
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- Tajnosti a lži
- Salaisuuksia & valheita
- Salaisuuksia ja valheita
- Lügen und Geheimnisse
- Mystika & psemata
- Mystika kai psemata
- Μυστικά και ψέματα
- Titkok és hazugságok
- Segreti e bugie
- Himitsu to Uso
- 秘密と嘘
- Paslaptys ir melagystės
- Hemmeligheter og løgner
- Sekrety i kłamstwa
- Secrete și Minciuni
- Тайны и ложь
- Skrivnosti in laži
- Secrets i mentides
- Sırlar ve yalanlar
- Таємниці та брехня
- סודות ושקרים
- Hemligheter & lögner
Seen Secrets & Lies?
Movies Like Secrets & Lies
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Separate Lies, The Lie and Family Secrets.
Secrets & Lies FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Secrets & Lies, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Secrets & Lies?
Secrets & Lies runs 2 hours 16 minutes (136 minutes).
When was Secrets & Lies released?
Secrets & Lies was released on September 27, 1996.
Who directed Secrets & Lies?
Secrets & Lies was directed by Mike Leigh.
More films by Mike Leigh Who is in the cast of Secrets & Lies?
Secrets & Lies stars Timothy Spall and Brenda Blethyn.
How much did Secrets & Lies make at the box office?
Secrets & Lies grossed $13.4 million worldwide on a budget of $4.5 million.
How is Secrets & Lies rated?
Secrets & Lies has 92 on Metacritic and 76% on TMDB.
What awards did Secrets & Lies win?
Secrets & Lies won 5 awards from 17 nominations, including Best Actress in a Leading Role at the BAFTA 1997.
Does Secrets & Lies have a post-credit scene?
No. Secrets & Lies has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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