Secrets & Lies (1996)

Mike Leigh wrote and directed this stunning masterpiece, which, if it won every major cinematic award for 1996, could not win enough praise. In short, "Secrets & Lies" is a film about a young black woman who discovers that her birth mother was white. But, in truth, that is such a small part of the story. While Hortense (the young woman played wonderfully by Marianne Jean-Baptiste) is the catalyst that sets all wheels in motion, it is the relationships that develop -- and revealed to the audience -- that catapaults this film into "masterpiece" status. Brenda Blythyn won Best Actress at Cannes for her portrayal of Hortense's mother -- a lonely, neurotic, confused and vulnerable presence strong enough to garner sympathy, not pity. And Timothy Spall is equally remarkable as her brother, Maurice -- a studio photographer struggling to define his relationship with her.

The acting is genuinely remarkable in itself -- as numerous single-shot scenes will attest. And perhaps even more remarkable is the fact that Leigh collaborates with his actors even before developing his screenplays. This isn't just one of the best films of the year, this is one of the best films in years.

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