There is an old Hollywood superstition that says any film with a question mark in its title will be a failure. 20 minutes in and I was blaming the question mark for cursing Elise Duran’s undemanding Can You Keep a Secret? However, the film’s lackluster script and dull, clichéd formula are the true culprits behind the film’s ultimate letdown, despite two charming lead actors who, frankly, deserve stronger material.
Based on the Sophie Kinsella novel of the same name – with a script adaptation by Peter Hutchings – Duran’s indie romantic comedy stars Alexandra Daddario (True Detective and Baywatch) and Tyler Hoechlin (Teen Wolf and Everybody Wants Some!!).
Some Rom, But Very Little Com
Daddario is Emma Corrigan, a junior marketer for an organic food company in New York City. After a failed sales pitch in Chicago, Emma’s journey home involves heavy drinking through turbulence as the handsome stranger in the next seat suffers through her scream crying that even his AirPods can’t block out. Thinking she’s about to die, Emma proceeds to spill a lifetime of secrets – which include having never been in love and her unhappiness with her boyfriend – to Jack Harper (Tyler Hoechlin a.k.a. the handsome stranger) who, unbeknownst to her, is her company’s new CEO.
Heading to the office, hungover and oblivious to her previous day drinking disaster, Emma meets her company’s new CEO and – surprise! – is left fumbling when she learns who Jack really is. After they meet, he agrees not to say anything and asks, in return, that she doesn’t reveal he was in Chicago. Throwing herself into her work, Emma shifts her focus to a tired product line of snacks and suggests a change in demographic, much to the annoyance of her co-workers. Soon after her mid-air word vomit, she breaks up with her long-term boyfriend, Connor (David Ebert), and begins a passionate relationship with Jack. As their connection grows, Emma becomes increasingly concerned that their relationship is too one-sided and worries Jack is keeping secrets.
Emma is presented with an air of naivety, which begs the question of how she achieved such a desirable job. Daddario is endearing and charming enough to save Emma from becoming a complete ingénue. However, her talents, like Hoechlin’s, are almost utterly wasted on two rather dull characters that couldn’t inspire less concern whether they stay together or not. The two are a relatively cute match but the film fails Emma repeatedly. Jack projects maturity and benevolence, while Emma is kind and sweet yet she is often painted as a girl rather than a woman, who’d much rather be buying a gel pen set than hanging out with friends.
Emma is also plastered with another irritating trope that, unfortunately, plagues most rom-coms. The stunningly gorgeous Daddario is cast as a woman unaware of her natural beauty, of course. She proceeds to spend the runtime aghast as to how a man like the equally attractive Hoechlin could possibly fall for her and her “weirdness.”
Fails to Ignite
The film’s other characters are essentially sidelined and lack depth. Emma’s soon-to-be-ex Connor is a ridiculously dorky caricature and even the wonderful Laverne Cox is completely wasted as Emma’s boss. Emma’s roommates Lissy (Sunita Mani) and Gemma (Kimiko Glenn) barely register but do provide some laughs. Glenn gets extra points for the outrageously brilliant outfit she wears to a baby shower.
The film’s uninspired script fails to ignite any sort of excitement or life into Can You Keep a Secret? and nothing about the film is fresh. There’s merit to its general concept; Emma is fully open and vulnerable while Jack is entirely closed off, yet the film squashes any capacity for emotional growth between them.
A title like Can You Keep a Secret? implies something particularly juicy will be revealed at some point. Nothing is. The secrets aren’t juicy or in any way scandalous – a few are mildly embarrassing – however, they’re mostly water-cooler gossip with friends. The third act falls flat and you’re left mercilessly bored at the fact you spent an hour and a half waiting for essentially nothing but a kiss.
Conclusion: Can You Keep a Secret?
Can You Keep a Secret? is far from the worst of the romantic comedies but its dull premise will fail to spark any real excitement from the genre’s fans. Daddario and Hoechlin are charming and likable leads who do their best with the material they’re given; however, the two deserve better than what the script and director Duran fail to provide.
Have you seen Can You Keep a Secret? What did you think of this indie rom-com? Share your thoughts with us below.
Can You Keep a Secret? is currently available to rent and buy on iTunes and Amazon Prime.
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