Forbidden Secrets (2005 TV Movie) User Reviews (15)

Should Have Been More Mysterious

[wes-connors · 5/10 · 21 June 2014]

The tragedy you see after the opening credits causes nightmares for grown-up blonde beauty Kristy Swanson (as Alexandra "Alex" Kent). Although it was the scene of the horrific drama she experienced as a cute little girl, Ms. Swanson has decided to move back into the luxurious brownstone. She's also decided to shed successful husband Charles Powell (as Dan Lambeth) – in spite of his very cool hairdo. Swanson quickly considers bedding her insane mother's doctor David Keeley (as Mike Stanheight). He has cool hair, too. In the old home again, our heroine takes a swim in the indoor pool. Then, she begins to act really weird. Swanson tries to piece together mysteries from the past while maintaining her own sanity. Her busy psychiatrist Christopher Bondy (as Sam Bradburn) thinks Swanson should have stayed away from the brownstone and all the "Forbidden Secrets" dwelling inside...

This is not a bad revision, by writer Karen Craig and director Richard Roy, of some commonly used plot points. But, it gets off to a bad start by not identifying mysteries. Know that the flashback opening is woefully incomplete; perhaps, including a shadowy figure would have heightened interest. The "key" element used to tie things tougher is the silver necklace Swanson often wears. You can see why any woman would want to wear it all the time – well, not. Some of the story stretches credulity too much – like how Swanson can't locate a certain room. She should simply ask the contractor, who could analyze the brownstone's entire structure. And, the drawing is obvious, but few in the cast seems to have a clue. There are some rough edges (watch that continuity on the couch), also. In supporting roles, head contractor Richard Jutras (as Ed) and girlfriend Marianne Farley (as Gina) are terrific.

***** Forbidden Secrets (9/26/05) Richard Roy ~ Kristy Swanson, David Keeley, Christopher Bondy, Richard Jutras

Not a bad flick...

[rps-2 · 6/10 · 14 December 2005]

Like Canadian wine, Canadian movies are getting better. This one has a gripping plot. I rather like the fact that you don't really know who the good guys and the bad guys are until the very end. It's a psychological thriller. It's not Psycho but it's also not bad. I guessed correctly that the film was shot in Montreal. Those distinctive staircases were a dead giveaway. So why wasn't the story set in Montreal. This was a Canadian production done by and for Canadian movie channels and financed with healthy Canadian and Quebec government grants and tax breaks. Yet quite apart from keeping Montreal a deep dark secret, they go so far as to fly American flags in some scenes. Do we really have to pander to the American market in such a demeaning manner? Americans watch movies set in Paris or London. Why do we assume they will not watch one set in Montreal?

Well done for a made-for-TV thriller

[phbalanced · 6/10 · 25 January 2006]

An okay made for TV movie about a recent divorcée who moves back into her childhood home, where her last memory is the "accidental" drowning death of her aunt. Turns out to be a 'whodunit' and with the limited number of cast, it's not hard to figure out who the guilty party is. Plot moves along fairly quickly. Beautiful filming location in Quebec and it's too bad they don't acknowledge it in the film. Rather, they would like the story set as a generic East Coast U.S. city. My biggest gripe is an obvious spelling mistake during the running of the end credits. The actor who played the psychiatrist is David KEELEY and not David Kelly. I've never seen an on screen typo. Shame on the editor!

Overly dramatic and tedious

[woooz · 4/10 · 5 July 2020]

Unsympathetic character. Exercises poor judgment throughout. Spends most of the film with her head in the sand - reacts to everything by either refusing to take action or acting hysterically. Behaves more like a 7 year old than an adult.

Film tries to create mystery by making you suspect at least 5 possible villians.

Very Disappointed

[caiged · 1/10 · 28 May 2007]

The TV synopsis sounded quite interesting and having noted that Kirsty Swanson was in it I was more than willing to give the movie a try. I recorded this with the intent on watching it when I was relaxed and in the mood for something interesting but I have to say that I was really dismayed at what I was watching.

To be fair to the movie I do have to say that the plot was interesting and in effect it was the only thing that kept me watching till the end. But that's about all I can say in the movie's favour. A poor screenplay and lousy dialogue lines did little to disguise the awful direction. What's worse is that the actors allowed themselves to contribute to the overall effort with some truly lousy acting. Whatever views I had about Kirsty's acting abilities went out of the window with this movie. For most of the movie she sounded as though she been in a screaming match and then had a strangling match with someone- she sounded that hoarse. Her attempts at emoting left a lot to be desired about. I think that it's time she decided to give up acting and try something else.

The rest of the cast were just as bad, if not worse. In truth this movie was just a cut above the standard soap opera fare- a lot of bad hamming to no effect.

As I mentioned above the plot is the only thing that is good for the movie but having said that you can quickly figure out what's going on close to half way through the movie. I haven't clicked on the spoiler column as there aren't any major spoilers and even those plot points could be used to emphasize the overall poorness of the movie. I only gave this one star out of ten because I couldn't assign half stars and that is all this movie is really worth- half a star.

I would not recommend this movie to anyone but truly die hard fans of Kirtsy Swanson. To the rest of the viewing public- watching paint dry is a lot more fun...and easier on the eyes.

The Key to Unlock the Past

[lavatch · 5/10 · 21 June 2021]

Early in "Forbidden Secrets," Alexandra Kent discovers that her pendant contains a key to a mysterious hidden room in her family mansion. The that room will disclose clues to Alexandra about her past when her dear Aunt Judith was murdered and her mother Evelyn was locked away in a lunatic asylum. If she can discover that hidden room, Alex will finally learn the truth about her past.

Structurally, the film was primarily about two psychiatrists competing for Alex's loyalty. Her dear friend Dr. Sam Bradburn had treated Alex for years after the trauma of witnessing the death of her aunt and the mental declivity of her mother. But there is also Dr. Mike Stanheight with whom Alex has become involved romantically. Which one of the shrinks truly deserves Alex's allegiance, and which one know the forbidden secrets?

While the conceit of the film was intriguing, not all of the characters seemed fit into the drama as a whole. Alex's ex-husband, Dan Lambeth, always seemed to have an ulterior motive to keep her in his life. The motivation for his obsession was never made clear. Also, Alex's bestie, Gina Matthews, and the handyman Ed seemed extremely unsympathetic in Alex's greatest time of need. Their roles in the film were haphazard.

The final twenty minutes of the film nearly lapsed into farce with a wild fracas in the home. The evil psychiatrist's line, "You couldn't leave the past alone!" was the biggest howler as the unconvincing final action unfolded around the indoor swimming pool.

The original traumatic event of the protagonist was never made entirely clear. And the biggest letdown was that the secret key led to a most inconsequential video room! In the end, the forbidden secrets were simply not that interesting.

about Montreal...

[donnazzass · 7/10 · 9 December 2006]

This just reminded me of a movie on IFC I recently saw, Leolo.

The start of this movie, with an unspeakable act over a bunch of in Italy picked tomatoes, heading for export to the USA (???) actually took place in Montreal as well.

I can imagine that after how this Leolo movie started, and the subsequent ICKY consequences of the unspeakable acts of the disgusting Italian picker.... No ONE would ever be willing to refer to Montreal in ANY movie again, ha ha.

Just kidding.

Anyway, this FORBIDDEN SECRETS movie is not bad at all. Never heard of Kristy Swanson, and she is not bad either.

The hidden room

[sol-kay · 5/10 · 21 September 2009]

**SPOILER ALERT** The dark secret that's been haunting art collector Alexandra Kent Lambeth, Kristy Swanson,since childhood is to come full crucial when she finally decided to visit her committed mom Evelyn, Jude Beny, at a local sanitarium.

Having just divorced her husband Dan Lambeth, Charles Edward Powell, Alexandra decided to start over and move into her empty mother's brownstone. It was there some twenty years ago where Alexandra's Aunt Judith, Danette Mackay, was murdered with her mom Evelyn being the major suspect in her death. Since then Evelyn had completely lost her marbles and was committed to a mental institution never having to stand trial for her crime. What's even more shocking is that little Alexandra witnessed the murder and had that memory totally repressed in her fragile young mind.

With all these suppressed memories, after visiting her mother, flooding Alexandra's brain the real killer of Aunt Judith comes out into the open to silence her, as well as Mrs. Kent, forever in order to keep the secret of his crime still secret! A secret that's been hidden in a secret room at the Kent brownstone for some twenty years. That Alexandra has had the key to but never realized it until now!

The secrets about the secret of the late Aunt Judith's murder are so many that by the time the movie is finally over a number of other persons who had nothing to do with the secret, including Dan Lambeth, end up dying because of it. Alexandra with the help of her mom's psychiatrist Dr. Mike Stanheight, David Keeley, does in fact uncover the secret. But not until Alexandra gets put on the right track by the kindly and understanding, in him taking all the uncalled for abuse from her, construction worker Ed, Richard Jutras, who knew abut the secret, or the key that uncovered it, all along.

***SPOILER***As things turned out the big secret wasn't that big of a secret to begin with in knowing who Aunt Judith's murderer is. Since you could practically spot him as soon as he popped into the movie with his overly and unnatural interest in the entire matter which shouldn't have been any of his business anyway.If the guy just laid low and played innocent, or ignorant, of what was going on all around him he may well have gotten away with it; Aunt Judith, and those who followed her into their graves, murder. That fact, being the busybody that he was, sealed his fate at the end of the film.

The high ranking reviews are not being honest

[dkulmer05 · 1/10 · 27 May 2021]

Swanson fans will overlook the bad acting and horrible writing, but this is a really bad movie. I was only able to watch 33 minutes before the interest was lost due to very bad direction and a nonsense plot. With force fed clues and irrational sub plot lines (she doesn't know her mother's psychiatrist?!??) the whole project is a waste.

very well done,suspenseful TV movie

[disdressed12 · 8/10 · 1 March 2007]

as a made for TV movie,this is actually quite good.the acting,especially by Kristy Swanson is above par.she makes a credible protagonist.the movie has plenty of suspense and is less predictable than most.the story concerns a woman(Swanson)who,despite years of therapy is still haunted with nightmares/memories of a traumatic childhood event. it turns out there is a mystery behind it all, and Alexandra must discover the truth before it's too late.there are a few suspects who could be the villain(along with a few scenarios) and,though i did eventually figure out the mystery and the villain,it took longer than i thought it would.even so,i wasn't completely sure until almost the end.to me,this is a sign of a good mystery movie.i'd recommend this movie to anyone,who wants a movie with some intelligence behind it.i give "Forbidden Secrets" a strong 8/10

Worst movie ever

[kinia-65225 · 1/10 · 25 April 2021]

I haven't watched the movie soooo badly made in a very long time. The story is forced and so cliche. The acting is horrific. Who on earth gave this movie 5 stars reviews. It's actually a pain to watch!

no suspense

[sandcrab277 · 2/10 · 22 November 2019]

Right out of the box it was apparent that the psychologist was the murderer of the child's aunt and the prime reason her mother was ensconced in a mental facility... fortunately kristy swanson puts it all together and gets rid of all her demons ...the ex hubby and her analyst ... the key in the pool room was a great visual effect, finally releasing the demons ... kristy swanson can visit me any time.

Lifetime lacks tension

[SnoopyStyle · 5/10 · 29 March 2024]

Alexandra Kent Lambeth (Kristy Swanson) is still haunted by a childhood trauma when her insane mother apparently killed her aunt. She settles her difficult divorce from her controlling husband and gets kicked out of her home. She returns to her family's old home. Her family pendant turns out to be a key to an unknown hidden room.

This is a Lifetime movie. There are mysteries and some suspects. It introduces some non-descript characters. The co-stars are not good enough. There isn't enough action to keep the tension up. She needs to search harder for the hidden room. There is no driving momentum. It is all moving way too slowly.

Surprisingly good

[maxammax · 9/10 · 21 December 2005]

Definitely not a run of the mill thriller. Provocative, engaging and intelligent ..these are all the necessary ingredients this film needs to keep the viewer hooked from the first few frames.

Kristy Swanson spares no emotion from being expressed on the screen, running the gambit from sadness to anger and unbeguilingly gives fans and viewers the chance for her to show off her raw talent.

Very watchable and I am sure her strong character is a real inspiration to women everywhere....standing up for her self against seemingly insurmountable odds. Love to give a spoiler here but see it for your self. Recommended viewing.

Have a little chocolate with your popcorn with this film; would work well on a rainy rainy night...nice love scenes, too for Kristy woo hoo :)

Trying to find hidden key pendant

[lewisjeannine · 8 January 2021]

I loved this movie, love Kristie Swanson, pretty and talented. I am looking for that hidden key pendant, it does not have to be identical but similar/ Does anyone know where to purchase one?