- Director : Jacques Rivette
- Actors : Sandrine Bonnaire, Jerzy Radziwilowicz, Gregoire Colin, Francoise Fabian
- Subtitles: : English
- Studio : Cohen Media Group
- Aspect Ratio : 1.85:1
- MPAA rating : NR (Not Rated)
- Country of Origin : France
- Number of discs : 1
- Media Format : Blu-ray
- Run time : 2 hours and 54 minutes
- Release date : March 14, 2023
Although there are secrets at the
center of the plot of Secret Defense, which also contains multiple
murders within the story, the film is less a mystery film and more a family
drama unfolding with moments of violence. Though many have noted that Secret
Defense is one of director Jacques Rivette’s most formulaic narratives, there
is still a large gap between this and traditional genre filmmaking. There may
be elements expected from a thriller, but it is so leisurely paced that all
danger and suspense has been diluted.
Unlike most
thrillers, Secret Defense doesn’t begin with violence, although the
discussion of possible murder sets off a chain of events. A scientist named Sylvie Rousseau (Sandrine Bonnaire) is busy
working on a cure for cancer when her brother Paul (Grégoire Colin) insists he
has evidence their father’s death was no accident. Upon investigating, Sylvie
discovers the possibility that a family friend named Walser (Jerzy
Radziwilowicz) may have been involved. Discrepancies in his story lead Sylvie
to believe her brother’s theory and set out on a mission for revenge.
As traditional as
the storyline seems up to this point, the resulting violence is both
anticlimactic and immediately halts any suspense or tension in the plot. The
second half of the film slows the pace back down and drags out the melodrama
instead. Rather than a murder mystery, the film shifts focus to become about
the secrets kept within a family. Although there are answers to the murder of
Sylvie’s father, they are not nearly satisfying enough to survive the bloated
run-time. At nearly three-hours long, much of Secret Defense contains
long takes of characters doing simple activities. With Rivette’s simplistic
style, lacking any musical score to build suspense or intensity, this mystery
is unlikely to satisfy the narrative itch most desire from the genre.
The Cohen Film
Collection Blu-ray release of Secret Defense comes with a new 4K
restoration of the movie, for those who want to watch Bonnaire take a 20-minute
train ride in the best quality possible. Even though the film doesn’t require
the pristine presentation, the release also comes with an audio commentary track
by Columbia University professor Richard Peña. This can help contextualize what
is admired about Rivette’s filmmaking, even if it doesn’t increase appreciation
of the film.
Entertainment Value:
4/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 7.5/10
Historical
Significance: 6/10
Special Features: 6/10
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