Lack of good storyline.

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

For anyone who requires more than a soppy unrealistic love story to rate a film duly, this film is not for you. I watched simply as someone who likes to drool over Colin Firth but alas, this film just had me cringing. As has been pointed out by other reviewers, the whole premise is entirely unbelievable. Perhaps it would have benefited had the director placed more emphasis in the first place on the initial reasons why a white author for children's story books would have taken up residence as the only white tourist in a village populated by black Christians? Maybe I am just not well enough travelled, in any case, the viewer is left to accept that in the director's eyes, there is no colour and that is how Firth's character starts here. Which is a fine sentiment - but seeing as the whole film is about the prejudices between races and cultures this does not make sense. It's not the only thing that lacks credulity. Whilst the script, being fairly well-written and the essence of some of the issues the film portrays are both admiral qualities to find in a film, the plot meanders without conviction and the stand-offs between Nene and Mama Fola are thankful reliefs into what otherwise would be a tired and somewhat lifeless love-affair. For instance, it is only later that we understand that Matthew takes up with Nimi in the first instance due to he and his wife's 'arrangement' to add 'flavour' to their own seemingly sordid and loveless relationship by thrill-seeking outside their marriage. Even then, the point is made with such subtlety it would be easy to miss and a viewer may still find themselves asking why at the end of the film. However, Firth is believable as the cad without a cause and this slightly balances out the equality in his relationship with his god-awful English wife, Jenny Field, played by Caroline Goodall who does an excellent job of coming across as wholly unlikeable. Director Peter Schwabach clearly has a tendency to view wives and mothers from a slightly misogynistic, simplistic angle as these are the main stereotypes of the film. Perhaps in this case this is a good thing as without these, the plot would have lacked the drive it needed to kick it well up it's lumbering clumsy arse in order to drag us to the outcome and finally, ending.Nia Long's acting was terrible and seemed as though she could not bring herself to actually believe neither the film's script nor plot line either. I am still not sure what accent she was settling for. As for the little boy, it is true, he was annoying throughout most of the film, though his childish exuberance and enthusiasm did serve to lift the energy in this film. Firth's character did not come across as the 'eccentric Englishman/artist/author' - so why on earth he would be wearing that Saracen wristband presumably designed for children as merchandise to accompany his books, is beyond me. This was unnecessary detail. If any woman encountered a fully grown man sporting a toy around his wrist it would be a clear signal to give a nice wide berth and er, move on.However, she did do a good job of avoiding Mr Field for a good three-quarters of an hour, so when she finally does submit to his advances, which have for the main part been unrelenting - and rebuffed on numerous occasions, it can probably explain the almost immediate removal of her skirt/lower part of her wrap garment. Now girls, I don't know about you, but no matter how 'long it's been' I tend to keep my garments on for at least a few more dates - an even bigger surprise given the devout Christian upbringing Nimi has had... Having said that, it's not everyday a girl gets such an illicit encounter with the Firth, in which case, who can blame her? Foolish antelope!!All in all, I stayed with the film as it does keep one entertained, despite its flaws, if only for the curiosity to see if it will ever become believable. It doesn't. Finally, I find it hard to believe that both Nimi and Matthew managed to escape a beating or at best, social isolation for their conduct, given the disgrace brought upon the family ultimately both in her choice and the time at which it was executed. However, this would probably also have been an unlikely turn of events given the light-hearted nature of the film. One is left wondering why indeed, an actor like Colin Firth accepted the role, and possibly can be explained by the fact that The Secret Laughter of Women is an interesting insight into subject matter rarely, if ever, touched by Hollywood. Alas, it is the direction the film takes and possibly how it has been edited that lets it down, both in its overall conviction and in the depth of issues it is attempting to explore in the form of a light-hearted comedy/romance. It goes to show, sometimes, less is more.

This is a great movie. When two people from different backgrounds and social status think that they have nothing to offer each other and in the end they what each other needs it a testament to what the heart knows. Sometimes we wonder why one man is with a woman or vise versa and the outward appearances say one thing to our eye, but what they offer each other from within that we cannot see is amazing and unexplainable. When Nimi thought that Matthew had nothing to offer her and when Matthew was only looking for a fling (because he had an open marriage w/his wife Jenny), in the end they realized that they could not and did not want to exist without the other. It was worth it to them to resist what family and friends thought and what society said was right to be with each other. This movie kind of restores my faith in love.

This is one of the best movies I've seen. Colin Firth is in rare form and this is just an enjoyable movie all around. Colin and Nia do have great chemistry together and the little boy is absolutely fascinating! I would love to have this movie in my collection it is a gem! It is nice to see traditions and non-traditions play out and to see African people portrayed as smart and not just in the jungle. I hope that wasn't offensive because it was not meant to be. I would love to know if I can find this movie on DVD. If anyone knows where I can find it, please let me know. The movie is insightful and shows Nia's great acting range. She has always been a good actress and proves it with this performance.

*Warning! Some spoilers!*Matt, a rich writer, is in fact still just a boy in his behaviour. He doesn't care about anyone's but his own needs and couldn't care less about the consequences of any of his actions. Just as he gets to know Nimi and her bonds with her familiy and her communitiy he starts to feel that something is missing in his live.He starts to realize that he is in fact lonely and stuck in impersonal structures that are just convenient but lack heart and commitment. Nevertheless he shies away from any responsibilties and is reluctant to change his live. But will he be able to settle again in his old life and ignore the bonds he's already - unconsciously - formed?Nimi's situation is the absolute opposite. She is pressed into the regulations of her Nigerian community, its prejudices and its medieval values. Being a single mother her position is difficult and it gets even worse when she falls in love with Matt, a white devil (as the Referend would say), a man who cannot commit. The women of the community plan to marry her to the Referend to end her single status and give Sammy "a name". But that would mean for Nimi to give up all independence and self-determination. But is there an alternative for her if she wants Sammy to be accepted and herself to become a respected member of the community?This movie has it all: a very sensitive and sensual love story (with VERY sexy scenes of Matt and Nimi) and an endearing child who is eagerly matchmaking, a beautiful scenery in lively colours.Colin Firth (*swoon*) and Nia Long show a great chemistry. It's just fantastic to watch them. And Fissy Roberts as Sammy is just to die for. You simply want to adopt him. I just love the way Sammy and Matthew talk to each other. They are both on the same level in many ways. Especially when Sammy asks Matt about Sex. This scene is absolutely adorable!!Almost nothing to complain about.... wait! That's not true. One thing is not good: That the movie is not long enough! (Well, and maybe that the Referend is too bad and too silly to be convincing....)10 of 10, by all means!