The Secret (David Duchovny)

REVIEW
Shockingly, the worst thing about The Secret, the new film from director Vincent Perez, is Lili Taylor. Yes, the once queen of indie cool who could be counted on to take every role seriously just phones it in here, dragging the film down. Granted, her role is somewhat small as she is killed off within the first act setting the rest of the plot in motion. What makes her weak performance all the more disappointing is Olivia Thirlby's dynamite performance as Taylor's character trapped inside her teenage daughter's body. Thirlby does a spot-on impression of Taylor in earlier films (albeit with an emphasis on her current uptight mother incarnation) and delivers her lines in Taylor's trademark staccato. The only problem is that Taylor seems so lost when she is in the movie that those unfamiliar with the rest of her work will miss the stellar impression that Thirlby is doing. David Duchovny, caught in the middle of all this, does exactly what he always does, plays David Duchovny which is fine. At least we're used to him phoning it in.