Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Secrets and Lies Adoption Movie Review
Middle-aged Cynthia struggles amidst family drama when out of
the blue she receives a call about a baby she placed for adoption decades ago.
Although she is initially nervous, Cynthia eventually agrees to meet the
caller, her birthdaughter, Hortense. Cynthia continues to meet Hortense in
secret, and she takes joy in seeing that Hortense is succeeding in life, even
though Cynthia herself struggles to make ends meet. Cynthia struggles within
herself, wanting her family to know about her newly-found daughter, but also
wanting to keep her secret hidden.
The Adoption
Connection
** SPOILERS AHEAD **
When she was 15 years old, Cynthia slept with a vacationing
American medical student; when she woke up, he was gone. Cynthia decided to
place her child for adoption. When Hortense and Cynthia meet, Cynthia has a
hard time believing that Hortense could be her daughter, because Cynthia is
Caucasian and Hortense is Black. Cynthia initially refuses to tell Hortense who
her father is, but ultimately tells her. Cynthia’s daughter Roxanne initially
seems to reject Hortense, but later says that she is happy to have her as a
half-sister. Cynthia’s brother commends Hortense for seeking out her history.
One character struggles with infertility. Hortense did not seek out her birth
family until after her adoptive parents had passed away.
Strong Points
This film captures the truth that when we face our pain, we
can find healing.
Cynthia overcomes her fear to meet Hortense, and eventually
introduces her to her family. The family is understandably shocked, but welcome
Hortense. Hortense acts bravely in tracking down her birthfamily.
This is a well-acted, thoughtful British film from 1996; it
seems quite forward-thinking in its treatment of openness in adoption.
Challenges
One character suffers from infertility; another character,
not knowing this, criticizes her for not providing children for her husband.
Even this secret comes to light, which allows the family to respond with
kindness and concern.
Recommendations
Secrets and Lies is a film that you might have missed, but
it’s very much worth seeing for adoptive parents, adult adoptees, and people
considering becoming adoptive parents. It’s a powerful picture of the pain that
comes from secrecy, and the healing that can be found when we let trustworthy
people know us. Strongly recommended for adults.
Questions for
Discussion
Which secrets could have caused the most pain?
Which characters do you think are feeling the most relief by
the end of the movie?
Why do you think Hortense chose to seek out her birthmother?
Why do you think she waited until after her adoptive parents had passed away?
Which characters do you relate to?
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