This film was horribly disappointing. I can't believe I actually sat through the full film. What bothered me the most about this film was that it was so clearly written by a man, for men. The director tried to push the idea that these two female characters were lovers through sexual scenes, but denied them any substantial character development or even dialog between each other. Their relationship was almost entirely for the male gaze. It is made known that the main character Sandrine had always been unhappy with her male partners and that she was quite obviously lesbian, but halfway through the film she was gushing over her sadistic boss. Just a few conversations with this creepy man and they were both LITERALLY ready to kill themselves, take a disgusting amount of abuse, and even forgive rape. At the beginning of the film, you get the impression of two strong female characters taking control of their lives and finding empowerment through their own sexuality, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. I am willing to forgive the horrible lines, unnecessary incest, and blatantly obvious foreshadowing, but the inconsistencies were unforgivable.

This film starts off relatively strong with two young girls making a pact to manipulate men in order to get ahead in life. French director Catherine Breillat's incendiary view of gender relations certainly came to mind but it soon became clear Les Choses Secrètes doesn't even deserve to be mentioned in the same breath as films like À ma soeur, Anatomie de l'enfer or Romance.This film stumbles each time it tries to deviate from the norm. Its gender commentary is simplistic and its attempts at symbolism seem like an afterthought. The strong beginning becomes a mediocre middle and finally an almost laughable ending.I have absolutely no idea how this was the top film of 2002 according to the once reputable Cahiers du Cinema when the best Breillat film has ever done was 9th place (Parfait amour/1996).If you're looking for edgy gender commentary, get any of the aforementioned films by the brilliant Catherine Breillat. If you're looking for an erotic French film with nubile young women I'd highly recommend Naissance des pieuvres aka Water Lilies (2007).

What a waste of time! The director clearly did not know what sort of film he wanted to make, so the film was extremely unsatisfying. Was he trying to make a copy of another bad film, Eyes Wide Shut? Was it supposed to be reality or a fable, a serious commentary on love or some soft porn, entertainment or just mind-numbing tedium. And just what on earth was an eagle doing there after the murder? None of the main characters seemed real. Generally I am pleasantly surprised at the quality of French films that make it across the Channel, but this one was meretricious and self-indulgent. I was going to say style over substance but there wasn't much style either. Best avoided unless simulated sex interests you.

Do you like well made movies with good acting and cinematography? Do you like trashy exploitation? If you answered yes to both of these questions then this is the movie for you. Some people are frustrated that someone would dare bring a story that belongs in a lurid paperback to screen with the former qualities, calling it cheap erotica with art-house pretensions. This is not true. "Secret Things" never overplays its hand and never asks to be taken as anything but what it is. It does not achieve things that a film like "Last Tango in Paris" does, but it doesn't try to (a good thing, given that it lacks Marlon Brando...). Instead, it tells a lurid story of manipulation and social climbing that is both quiet and operatic, sexy and repulsive. There's naked bodies present and food for thought if one is interested. A very well-made movie.