The Secret She Kept (2016 TV Movie) User Reviews

Absolutely, Unequivocally Horrible!

[jasheemw · 1/10 · 30 January 2018]

Jasheem Wilson Jasheem Wilson 1 day ago I am upset and slightly insulted as an African American living with a Mental Disorder. This was not a good nor accurate portrayal of the struggles one goes through. I haven't read the book but if the book is anything like this movie, this straight, it was bad. Bad everything, bad storyline, bad acting which I am shocked with who was in this. That fake suicide attempt when she was in the bath tube trying to drown herself??????? Like really? Mentally disturbed people are not that mentally disturbed. Also, Kyla as much as I love her did not research the role and did it showed and came off horrible. Kellita Smith's acting was everywhere and after her character's personality changed in the middle of the movie, I'm not too sure the bad acting was her fault. In the first half of the movie, she sounds drunk as she tries to adopt a sophisticated way of speaking? Idk. But then Kyla Pratt starts speaking like she's drunk. It was like every scene was a sound check. Gavin Houston, he is always gonna be Jeffery from the haves and have-nots to me. His characters seem to all be the same with no real depth, he plays them all the same. In here it was a little much.This movie is weighed down with a lot of lengthy monologues and at times it seems as if the characters are just talking at one another. Kyla Pratt will say something and the reaction from Gavin Houston, it just made no sense. It had nothing to do what she was saying. It was as if they'd forgotten they're lines and were saying the ones they did remember and the conversation was picked up. Now, Lifetime has a certain brand and a lot of times they stuff looks cheese but, they at least be good. This was just horrible. And the longer I watched the more questions I had. The only saving grace is they gave us some vague information on mental health and the black community. I recommend you just google mental health in the black community so you don't have to waste an hour and a half of your life like I did. And if you have a mental health disorder, I don't recommend watching this, it might send you into a manic state like it did me. I stopped everything I was doing to write this review.You've been warned.

Beautiful story that shines a realistic light on Mental Illness

[iamsennia · 10/10 · 21 April 2024]

Grateful for such a transparent and raw movie on mental heath in the black community. This movie was not only shocking but eye opening and informative. I didn't expect it to make me tear up at the end but it sure did. It's not an Oscar winner but it is a candid portrayal of what could be anyone's story dealing with mental illness. I love the unconditional love showed in this film. Kyla Pratt adds a nice touch as well as the male lead. As skeptical as I was of the film I ended it with an inspirational outlook and more compassion and respect for those who suffer with these demons. Kudos to the cast and and the production team. Well done. Decent script, no guns, drug use, sex or unnecessary stereotypes perpetuated just good storytelling and realism. A breath of fresh air for african american films.