The film follows the story of Hanna, played by Sarah Polley, who is a skilled nurse but also a secretive and reserved person. She is sent to work on an oil rig as a caregiver for Josef, played by Tim Robbins, who was blinded in a work accident. The two of them develop a deep and meaningful relationship as they share their life stories, and Hanna helps Josef come to terms with his blindness.
Hanna is deaf and communicates with others using sign language. She struggles to connect with her colleagues on the oil rig at first, but eventually, they learn to understand and communicate with her. Hanna's unique ability to connect with people, despite her deafness, makes her an integral part of the oil rig team.
As time passes, Hanna and Josef become very close and start to discover a deep connection that goes beyond the initial caregiver-patient relationship. They begin to share their deepest secrets and fears with each other, and their relationship gradually becomes a romantic one. However, their happiness together is short-lived, as Josef reveals a dark secret that threatens their budding relationship.
The Secret Life of Words is a moving and poignant drama, filled with hauntingly beautiful scenes and powerful performances by Sarah Polley and Tim Robbins. It is a story of the power of language, connection, and forgiveness, and how people can find hope and strength even in the darkest of situations.
