‘Can You Keep a Secret?’ VOD Review
Stars: Alexandra Daddario, Tyler Hoechlin, Laverne Cox, Kimiko Glenn, Sunita Mani, Sam Asghari, Judah Friedlander, Bobby Tisdale, Kate Easton, David Ebert | Written by Peter Hutchings | Directed by Elise Duran
Thinking they’re about to crash, Emma spills her secrets to a stranger on a plane. At least, she thought he was a stranger…Until she later meets Jack, her company’s young CEO, who now knows every humiliating detail about her.
Based on the 2003 New York Times bestseller by Sophie Kinsella, Can You Keep a Secret? is essentially a by-the-numbers rom-com about mixed messages, crossed-wires and overly complicated relationships. It’s also obvious from the get-go where this film will end up. Yet none of that stops Can You Keep a Secret? being a hugely entertaining romp. Mainly due to the chemistry of leads Alexandra Daddario and Tyler Hoechlin.
Can You Keep a Secret? feels very much like a rom-com from the 90s/00s, with Daddario channeling the same style of performance Cameron Diaz did in the likes of There’s Something About Mary – in fact Daddario has the same likeability and charm as Diaz had, never being afraid to act the fool, play up her insecurities and awkwardness to make her character more empathetic. It’s such a shame that Daddario hasn’t reached the dizzy heights of Diaz’s career – she certainly has the skills etc. to do so. If she can find that one big audience-grabbing film.
A few years ago Can You Keep a Secret? would have been such a movie. However in the era of superhero movies and massive blockbusters there’s no room for these kinds of film at the box office. Instead this film will, hopefully, find its audience on DVD and streaming services – for there is still an audience for an understated, well-rounded rom-com like this. Fans of films like You’ve Got Mail, My Best Friends Wedding and Sleepless in Seattle will eat this up in droves!
But it’s not all old-school rom-com for Can You Keep a Secret? No, instead the film tries to expand its remit with a cast of off-kilter, sometimes strange, co-stars that pepper the film with idiosyncratic characterisations – including Emma’s room mate and experimental dancer Lissy (Sunita Mani) and office manager Cybill (Laverne Cox). Whilst it may not be much, the addition of modern character tropes does give Elise Duran’s film a more well-rounded feel… and appeal.
A sweet, warm and good-natured rom-com romp, Can You Keep a Secret? is out now on VOD. The film will be available in the UK from 4th May.
