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WSR Detailed DVD Review
Secrets & Lies
Genre: Drama

Reviewed In Issue 94 (Mar 2005) Of Widescreen Review®

Stars:
Timothy Spall, Brenda Blethyn, Phyllis Logan, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Claire Rushbrook, Ron Cook, Lesley Manville & Elizabeth Berrington

WSR Review Scores
WSR Picture Rating: 3.5
DD Sound Rating: 2
DTS Sound Rating: NR
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Reference Systems
Critics' Composite Score: 4
Internet Links


Special Features
Includes the theatrical trailer and bonus trailers.


 DVD General Information

(Studio/Distributor): 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
(Catalog Number): 2223033
(MPAA Rating): R
(Rating Reason):

(Retail Price): $9.98
(DVD Type): Single Side, Dual Layer (DVD9)
(Widescreen Edition): Yes
(Full Screen Edition): No
(Anamorphic Widescreen): Yes
(Running Time In Minutes): 142
(Color Type): Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
(Closed Captioned): Yes
(Regional Coding): 1
(Theatrical Year): 1996
(Theatrical Release): Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release): No
(DVD Release Date): 02/01/05
(THX® Digitally Mastered): No

 Credits Information

(Director): Mike Leigh
(Screenplay/Written By): Subscribe Now!
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(Supervising Sound Editors): Subscribe Now!
(Re-Recording Mixers): Subscribe Now!
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  DVD Picture Information

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  DVD Sound Information

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  WSR Narrative Review
Story Synopsis:
A family filled with Secrets & Lies is forced to deal with more chaos, when lower-class Cynthia Purley (Blethyn) is contacted by a woman who claims to be her daughter who was given up for adoption years ago. She eventually agrees to meet Hortense (Jean-Baptiste), who is a successful optometrist. Despite the fact that Hortense is black, Cynthia is soon convinced that she is just who she claims to be. But introducing Hortense to the rest of the family wreaks havoc on their emotions. (Suzanne Hodges)

DVD Picture:
The anamorphically enhanced 1.85:1 DVD picture exhibits generally pleasing qualities, though slightly dated in appearance. Textures and details are nicely rendered, but there are some soft qualities. Colors have good balance overall, with natural fleshtones and deep blacks. Shadow delineation and contrast are adequate. Film grain is inherent in the source element, as are some flecks of dirt. Edge enhancement can be problematic with this title and there is also some pixel breakup. (Suzanne Hodges)

Soundtrack:
The Dolby