Overview
A solitary woman finds connection in the most unexpected of places, revealing the power of healing through silence.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- melancholic
- intimate
- austere
- quiet evening
- arthouse film night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the film as a powerful, emotionally serious arthouse drama anchored by thoughtful performances from Sarah Polley and Tim Robbins.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Hannah cares for Josef on a sparsely populated oil rig surrounded by open sea.
Hannah carries concealed memories connected to war crimes and torture, which gradually emerge through her bond with Josef.
Hannah’s hearing impairment, withdrawn behavior, and refusal to speak openly define her connection with Josef.
Hannah nurses the blinded, burned Josef while their professional relationship becomes deeply personal.
Films like The Secret Life of Words, and why
Breaking the Waves
shared intimate romance, emotional trauma, spiritual isolation, and austere arthouse drama
The Piano
shared wounded characters, restrained romantic connection, and melancholic humanism
In the Mood for Love
shared quiet relationship drama, emotional repression, and healing through companionship
Movie Details
- Director
- Isabel Coixet
- Release Date
- 2005-12-15
- Runtime
- 115 min
- Rating
- 7.0 / 10 (240)
Cast
- Sarah Polley
- Tim Robbins
- Javier Cámara
- Danny Cunningham
- Dean Lennox Kelly
- Daniel Mays
- Eddie Marsan
- Steven Mackintosh
- Julie Christie
- Emmanuel Idowu
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Secret Life of Words about?
- On a nearly deserted oil rig, a withdrawn caregiver and a blinded burn victim discover that compassion can make buried trauma speak.
- What is The Secret Life of Words like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Secret Life of Words as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Secret Life of Words violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in The Secret Life of Words as moderate.
- What did critics think of The Secret Life of Words?
- Critics broadly praised the film as a powerful, emotionally serious arthouse drama anchored by thoughtful performances from Sarah Polley and Tim Robbins.
- Which films are like The Secret Life of Words?
- Films with a similar feel include Breaking the Waves, The Piano, and In the Mood for Love.
- How long is The Secret Life of Words?
- The Secret Life of Words runs 115 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Secret Life of Words?
- In United States, The Secret Life of Words streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
