SECONDSCREEN

In Secret The Two Faces Of January

Be careful what you wish for. That’s the message behind the period drama In Secret, and it has been ever since Emile Zola wrote Thérèse Raquin in the 1860s, the novel on which this Charlie Stratton-directed picture is very much based, despite apparently lacking the courage to admit it. A desire not to sound too literary – or possibly too French – is the only explanation I can think of.

Nevertheless, this is a goodlooking and extremely well-acted version of Zola’s tale of tragic love, with Elizabeth Olsen, in particular, shrugging off the disappointments of Godzilla (see opposite) to deliver a performance of real power. At times, it seems, as poor Thérèse, she’s almost going to ignite with suppressed desire.

Raised by her self-centred aunt (Jessica Lange), Thérèse is soon

well-acted: well- acted: Kirsten Dunst, and, db above right, Oscar Isaac and Daisy Bevan. Elizabeth Olsen, right, in In Secret