Is Best Kept Secrets Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1984)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Best Kept Secrets, a standout production of 1984, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Thriller, Drama, TV Movie landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into Blaise Dietz (Patty Duke Astin) plays the wife of police officer Blaise Dietz (Frederic Forrest), who wants to join a special investigative unit. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Thriller, Drama, TV Movie are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "Blaise Dietz (Patty Duke Astin) plays the wife of police officer Blaise Dietz (Frederic Forrest), who wants to join a special investigative unit. Forrest is denied this position on the basis of information concerning his wife. The information, which reveals a dicey extramarital affair, was culled from a department surveillance file that was supposed to have been destroyed by court order. Blaise battles through legal channels to expose the police force's illegal actions, even as she and her husband suffer the innuendoes and cold shoulders from his fellow officers."

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. The performance by Patty Duke is nothing short of transformative, providing an emotional anchor that tethers the film's more abstract concepts to a relatable human experience. Patty Duke captures the nuance of the script with a performance that will likely define their career for years to come.

The direction by Jerrold Freedman is marked by a steady and professional hand. Technically, the film is a tour de force. The cinematography makes exceptional use of light and shadow, creating a visual language that mirrors the character's internal journey. The soundscape is equally impressive, with a score that is both haunting and celebratory, perfectly aligned with the thematic progression of the plot. The pacing, over its 95 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Best Kept Secrets truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Thriller, Drama, TV Movie, then this is a mandatory viewing experience—a film that will haunt your thoughts long after you leave the theater.

The film's ability to transcend its genre labels is why it has earned its 7.5/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Best Kept Secrets explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 1984 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Jerrold Freedman respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Best Kept Secrets is a rare gem that rewards the audience's attention with a profound and lasting impact. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Patty Duke or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Best Kept Secrets is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.