Secrets

SECRETS(USA1924)Anelderlywomanlooksbackonherlifewithherheavilyillhusbandandrecallswhenshefellinlove.Withquietnuanceandwithafinesenseofobservation,BorzageusesflashbackstotellthestoryofyoungLadyMarywhocrossessocialboundarieswhenshefallsforherfather’semployeeandchoosestoleaveherfamilyforhim.Shetellsherchildren,whodonotunderstandhersenseofsacrifice,thesecretoflovethatshouldbepreservedlikeatreasureandforthistobepossiblesocialconventionshavetobefloutedandadversitiesandavarietyofinnerandexternaltestshavetobeovercome.AdramaturgicalhighlightfullofrefinementandwitisthelongscenewhenLadyMaryputsonanelaborateballgown,ascenethatisabruptlyendedwhenthefatherdiscoversaletterwrittenbyJohn.Theremovalofthedressisnolesstrickyandaccompaniedbynumerousinterruptions.Borzagemadeasoundremakein1933,butitiswithoutcomparetotheoriginalintermsoflightnessandcharm.