It seems like the widespread recognition this film received across various awards ceremonies indicates its ability to connect with families, not just those in Britain, who are grappling with difficult situations as they navigate daily life. The story focuses on “Cynthia” (Brenda Blethyn), a woman who enjoys drinking, and her daughter “Roxanne” (Claire Rushbrook), who has a close connection with her boyfriend “Paul” (Lee Ross). Then, she receives a phone call from someone identifying herself as "Elizabeth." Not her deceased mother, but her adopted daughter from years ago. It's that direct. Understandably, “Cynthia” is upset by this news but agrees to meet this woman, a Black lady named “Hortense” (Marianne Jean-Baptiste), at a London tube station. The latter is aware of their racial differences, while the former isn’t, setting up another of what will be several surprises as they come together and consider building a relationship. Meanwhile, her photographer brother “Maurice” (Timothy Spall) and his wife “Monica” (Phyllis Logan) are facing issues of their own, and as the plot unfolds we start to understand why the film is titled “Secrets and Lies.” It may be due to the performances from Blethyn and Baptiste, but I really didn’t like either of their characters. The former could moan for hours; a constant storm of self-pity often fueled by alcohol, while the latter's approach to meeting her birth mother felt almost harsh and displayed a sense of entitlement that bothered me greatly. From there, the narrative seems determined to present every possible source of dysfunction and depression, and surprisingly, the revelation of a thirty-something child isn’t even the biggest shock. It's a grim film, though there is some very dark humor and occasional glimmers of hope as their family moves toward its conclusion. The cinematography lends it an observational intensity that sometimes feels powerful, at other times intrusive, but consistently succeeds in drawing us into their unhappiness. Did I enjoy this? No, not really. However, it’s a striking look at the damage caused by relationships neglected and allowed to drift with unspoken truths, and Blethyn certainly commits herself fully to the role.

Source on TMDB