This is a small band of reviewers who have had the good fortune to experience this minor gem of a movie. I wasn't aware that this film was made for TV, so that was the first surprise. Further surprises followed as the film proceeded to develop into an absorbing and convincing melodrama. I can only agree with the other reviewers that this film scored very highly on most of the requirements of great entertainment. The acting was thoughtful, measured and very convincing. Was this because the actors were not "stars"? I would say absolutely so, because faces that are new to one do not distract from the thrust of the story, thus enhancing the sense of reality. The female lead, for me, managed to create one of the most erotic portrayals I have ever seen. She managed to smoulder without any apparent effort. Guess she's just a naturally sexy lady.

One reviewer described this movie as graceful. It is graceful. This interpretation by Darlene Young of Mr. Cook's novel provides a core that director Andrew Mondsheim turns into an elegantly elegiac narrative. Editing by Bernadette Kelly of Philip Linzey's imaginative cinematography recalls her work on "Dead Ringers" and "Naked Lunch". Ed Hana's production design is subtle and finely nuanced. I particularly like the iconography in the courtroom scenes. The set design there and elsewhere by Megan Less is like her work in other good movies including "The Virgin Suicides". I like the scenes in the dinner. I love the edit to someone cutting hair in a barbershop after a reference that someone the protagonist wants to interview cuts hair. I thought that a lovely and small touch. It made me think of Goddard.Casting impresses me. Mr. Strahairn and Ms. McDonnell perform well together. I like baker-9's thoughtful review of this movie and his observations about the acting. I am a fan of Ms. McDonnell, however. I think she is compelling in her portrayal here. Mr. Strahairn does quietly give a sense of depth to his characters. All the actors convinced me as part of the narrative.The overall film design, with some use of filters in retrospective scenes works—without being distractingly stylized.I agree with reviewer skeckie that this is an almost flawless film narrative. The score stresses the narrative perfectly even though I am one who likes scores that—well work in a different way. In a way, the film recalls in its own way themes from films by Alain Resnais. I understand why someone might find this movie derivative, slow, and repetitive, I do not respond to it that way. I very much enjoyed this lovely little movie. I find it tender and thoughtful.This is at least as good as many BBC mystery films. Savour it.

This movie reminded me of all the "skeletons" that I found in my "grandparents" past. How much do you know about old pictures or the people you see? I found that the slight smile meant something. How many people really want to talk about there past. The cast brought us back in time and made us remember, their time. What would you do? When I watched this movie, I remember thinking to myself, Thank God, I live in the "today". And that I found those skeleton's in the closest!! I enjoyed the movie because it let the characters be, understandable. Their on the that brink, between, reality and the past. What is the truth or memories. Why would someone "cover" a accident up. The movie explains all of our fears,"why did you not tell me"? Staying in the house was so clear to me, a daughter, "left" by her father. Trying to find out why. And a man who only has questions about his past.

How come this movie has such a big rating??? I have no idea. It's a really weak and boring crime movie, actually the worst one i've seen. The characters are poorly built, the action isn't convincing enough, and the acting is very very bad. My advice: don't watch this unless you have to.