The Secret (2006)
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A spirituality pseudo-documentary explores the 'law of attraction'—the belief that thoughts and feelings can manifest desired outcomes from the cosmos.
The story
The Secret is a self-help film presented in a documentary format that introduces the concept of the 'law of attraction.' This hypothesis suggests that an individual's thoughts and feelings have the power to attract specific events, experiences, and feelings into their lives, ranging from personal interactions to professional affairs. The film posits that these cosmic workings have been intentionally kept hidden by those in positions of power, and it seeks to reveal this central principle to the public.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The Secret is a spirituality pseudo-documentary that presents the 'law of attraction' as a method to satisfy one's needs by maintaining positive emotional states and repeated thoughts. The film claims that feelings and thoughts attract events from the cosmos to personal and professional affairs, suggesting that this principle was historically hidden by those in power. The production involved interviews with approximately 55 teachers and authors across various locations, including Chicago, Aspen, and a Mexican Riviera cruise. The film features 24 of these teachers in its extended version, while the first edition included Esther Hicks, known as a prominent interpreter of the Law of Attraction. Following a contract dispute, Hicks' scenes were replaced by narrations from Lisa Nichols and Marci Shimoff. The film was created by Prime Time Productions with funding from 9Network, though the network ultimately declined to broadcast it due to a perceived lack of mass appeal. It was eventually released via the internet and DVD, becoming a cultural phenomenon. The film's marketing focused on 'wealth enhancement,' a departure from the more spiritual roots of the New Thought movement. It has faced various controversies, including allegations of plagiarism and legal disputes regarding production pay and deceptive conduct by one of its featured investment gurus.
- First release year
- 2006
- Runtime (minutes)
- 91
- Production countries
- Australia; United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Drew Heriot
- Writers
- Rhonda Byrne · writer
- Cast and characters
- Esther Hicks · teacher; Lisa Nichols · narrator; Marci Shimoff · narrator
- Genres
- spirituality pseudo-documentary; self-help; pseudoscience documentary
- Themes
- Law of Attraction; Wealth Enhancement; Spirituality; Positive Thinking
- Tone and mood
- Breathless; Cinematic; Emotional
- Premise and plot tags
- Self-help; Pseudo-documentary; New Thought; Metaphysics
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Science of Getting Rich by Wallace Wattles
- Franchise connections
- The Secret: Dare to Dream
- Content notes
- Pseudoscience
- Reception
- The film was a cultural and publishing phenomenon, described as a 'self-help phenomenon' and a 'cultural phenomenon.' It was recognized for having a broad and varied impact on culture, though it faced criticism for its lack of scientific basis and its focus on wealth enhancement.
- Production trivia
- The film was done as a project for Australia's 9Network, but they declined to broadcast it.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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