Little Secrets

Little Secrets

Year: 2002

Runtime: 96 min

Language: Unknown language

Director: Blair Treu

DramaComedyMusicFamily

In 1960s Luxembourg, young Norbi experiences the complexities of growing up. He grapples with wanting more freedom while still appreciating the security of his childhood. While exploring his surroundings, he uncovers unexpected truths about himself and his community. Norbi must then learn to navigate the challenges of adolescence and discover his place in a world filled with change and unexpected revelations.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline – Little Secrets (2002)

Trace every key event in Little Secrets (2002) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Emily's summer of practice and secrets

Emily spends her summer intensely practicing violin for a crucial audition with the local youth symphony in Salt Lake City. She also runs a secret-keeping booth, charging neighbors fifty cents to hear their confidences. Unbeknownst to her friends, she herself harbors the secret that she is adopted, while her parents eagerly await a new baby.

Summer Salt Lake City
2

New neighbor Philip arrives and tests a secret

Philip moves in next door and, while helping unpack, breaks one of his father's chess pieces. He tries to hide it in the garden and Emily catches him, charging fifty cents to keep the secret. Their first tense interaction foreshadows a wary but growing bond, as they later inadvertently break two china teacups during afternoon tea.

Afternoon Emily's neighborhood / next-door house
3

Philip's crush grows; he starts piano lessons

To impress Emily, Philip's crush deepens and he begins taking piano lessons. The gesture marks a shift from a simple neighborly incident to an effort to win her attention. Emily remains wary but intrigued by his bold moves. It hints that rivalry and affection will intersect in their story.

Summer Neighbor's home / Emily's house
4

David returns home from camp with a secret

David, 15, comes home from tennis camp after an incident involving alcohol and a car accident where another driver is injured. Although not the driver, the incident reveals a heavy secret that Emily eventually learns from David. Her reaction signals the fragility of trust among the two families.

Evening David's home / street
5

Emily and David connect; Philip grows jealous

Emily and David meet and are instantly drawn to each other, while Philip grows jealous of the new bond between them. In response, Philip steals Emily's clients, trying to undercut her secret-keeping booth. The tension tightens as Emily's world of secrets begins to collide with real relationships.

Days after Emily's home / neighborhood
6

Emily's secrets threaten her musicianship

As the advice Emily dispenses to neighborhood kids starts backfiring, the pressure of maintaining multiple secrets weighs on her. The stress seeps into her violin practice, and her performance quality suffers. She begins to unravel under the mounting burden.

Over the following days Emily's home / practice space
7

David reveals his secret to Emily at the baby shower

During her mother's baby shower, David attempts to talk to Emily and she reveals that she knows his secret. The moment marks a turning point in their fragile trust and pushes Emily toward confronting the truth behind everyone's secrets.

Baby shower day Mother's baby shower
8

Confrontations escalate and secrets are exposed

David confronts Philip, and Philip retaliates by telling Emily's best friends that she broke their secret greeting pact. The breach heightens the risk of Emily losing her closest confidants and forces her to confront the consequences of secrets spoken aloud. Emily, prompted by her violin teacher Pauline, resolves to stop keeping secrets.

Later that day Neighborhood / school
9

Emily climbs to retrieve her violin but falls

Following a heart-to-heart with her teacher, Emily goes to retrieve her violin left on the roof but loses her balance and falls, requiring a trip to the hospital. The fall derails her audition plans and forces a pause in her dream of joining the youth orchestra. The accident serves as a wake-up call about the burden of secrets.

Daytime Roof / hospital
10

Brothers rally to save her audition

While Emily is in the hospital, David and Philip sneak away to the audition and show the panel a tape of Emily playing the violin. Their gesture demonstrates their support and belief in her talent, ultimately earning her a place in the youth orchestra. The moment reframes their relationship with Emily.

Later that day Audition hall / hospital
11

Grace is born; Emily's new sister arrives

In the hospital, Emily's mother gives birth to a baby girl named Grace. The family celebration contrasts with Emily's own misgivings about secrets, offering a new source of joy. Emily's sense of belonging begins to expand beyond the secrecy she kept.

Soon after the hospital stay Hospital room
12

Emily shares her adoption secret and learns forgiveness

After her hospital release, Emily tells her friends that she is adopted and reveals the fate of her birth parents. David comes to understand why she was so upset and promises not to repeat similar mistakes. The revelation brings relief and honesty back into her friendships.

After discharge Neighborhood / friends' hangout
13

Philip helps close the secret-keeping booth

Emily and Philip reaffirm their friendship, and Philip offers his blessing as she closes down her secret-keeping booth for good. Their reconciliation emphasizes trust and open communication over secrecy, reinforcing the new boundaries they've set.

After Grace's birth Neighborhood
14

Ending: a new violin and renewed bond

With secrets behind them, Emily receives a new violin as a gift and looks out over the neighborhood, imagining a future where honesty governs her relationships. She and David share a kiss as their friendship grows into something more, and the brothers' support remains a steady constant. The film closes on a hopeful, interconnected note.

End Emily's home / neighborhood

Last Updated: November 22, 2025 at 15:58

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Little Secrets Summary

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Little Secrets Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Little Secrets

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