"Every Secret Thing" is a crime film directed by Amy J. Berg and written by Nicole Holofcener, that’s based on the 2004 novel of the same name written by Laura Lippman, which centers on the investigation into a series of missing children and the prime suspects: 2 young women who, 7 years prior, were institutionalized for the death of an infant.
The film stars Diane Lane, Elizabeth Banks, Dakota Fanning, Danielle Macdonald, Nate Parker, and Common; Lane plays the role of Helen Manning, the mother of Alice Manning, an 18-year-old girl (Macdonald) who becomes a suspect in the disappearance of a missing child. Banks plays Detective Nancy Porter, who is investigating the case, and who becomes emotionally involved in it and Nate Parker plays her partner in the investigation. Fanning plays Veronica Fuller, the other 18-year-old suspected in the disappearance of a missing child – a child whose father is played by Common.
The write-ups of the film I’ve read don’t say so, but it appears that there’s race is of significance in the story, if only based on the trailer. Although I did look up the original novel that the film is based on, and while still no mentions of race in any synopsis I read, I did find some reviews that do mention it. Here’s a piece of one of them, from Amazon: "The story is narrated from multiple viewpoints, including those of a pair of now teenage girls, just released from juvenile detention after serving seven-year sentences for their parts in the kidnapping and death of a baby, the granddaughter of a locally-famous black judge. Ronnie Fuller and Alice Manning have had their lives irrevocably changed, and when another child of mixed race disappears soon after their return home, the girls become prime suspects, after their names are leaked to the press and to the police… Set in Baltimore, the story is as much about developing character studies of the girls, their families, the police, the press, and so forth, as it is about solving the mystery. The book also presents a portrait of the racism and divisions inherent in society, not just black vs. white, but rich vs. poor, and so on…"
Principal photography of the film began in March 2013 in New York City, and "Every Secret Thing" premiered in the Spotlight section at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2014, generating a fair amount of buzz to sold out screenings.
The film was eventually picked up for distribution in late 2014 by Anchor Bay Entertainment in collaboration with Starz.
"This is an amazing film," said Kevin Kasha, head of acquisitions for Starz. "It’s a gripping story with a great cast and we’re excited to have it on Starz and to handle distribution via Starz Digital Media and Anchor Bay."
"Every Secret Thing is a remarkable collaboration of females in film and offers a unique look into the minds of teenagers," commented Amy Berg. "I am so pleased it will be in theatres in the spring."
A theatrical release date is set for May 15, 2015.
Trailer below:
