Anatomy of a Fall

The Palme d’Or winning French hit finally arrived stateside in October. Anatomy of a Fall is a fresh and intelligent take on the classic courtroom drama. Directed by Justine Triet, she co-wrote the screenplay with her romantic partner Arthur Harari and weaves elements of director Alfred Hitchcock into the developments.

Samuel Maleski (Samuel Theis) is discovered dead in the snow. It appears he’s fallen from the third story of his luxurious chalet in the French Alps. He’s survived by his wife, novelist Sandra Voyter (Sandra Hüller), and their 11-year-old son, Daniel (Milo Machado-Graner), who also happens to be blind. Upon further inquiry, the police challenge whether he committed suicide or was murdered. His wife is the prime suspect, and there will be a trial.

The narrative will keep you guessing all the way to the end. This is not just an investigation into the circumstances of Samuel’s death but also a meticulous examination that uncovers the details of Sandra and Samuel’s antagonistic relationship. The use of various spoken languages, French, English, and German, adds a layer of complexity for Sandra. Her preference for English when giving her testimony in a French court suggests a lack of transparency.

The tale is built on an outstanding ensemble. Let’s start with the case. The two lawyers on the opposing sides are mesmerizing. Actor Swann Arlaud portrays Vincent Renzi, the defense lawyer and an old friend of Sandra’s. Meanwhile, Actor Antoine Reinartz is doggedly determined as a fierce prosecutor. Both are impressive when offering their arguments at the hearing. Recreating the exact facts of what happened on the day in question is critical. Recounting how events transpired that day is particularly difficult for eleven-year-old son Daniel (Milo Machado Graner). He conveys doubt mixed with conflicting feelings with the subtle skill of actors four times his age.

However, it is German actress Sandra Hüller as the woman on trial who is the MVP of this cast. She commands attention in every scene to give one of the best performances of 2023. She radiates fire during a heated argument with her spouse late in the film. Actor Samuel Theis is excellent, too. That disagreement is addressed during the case, which we witness as it unfolds in a flashback. I was transfixed. Her chilly demeanor courts and shuns our sympathies in equal measure. Hüller’s achievement recalls Meryl Streep in A Cry in the Dark and Cate Blanchett in Tár but in a uniquely stellar triumph that is all her own. I’m beyond impressed.

Every country has a different way of conducting a trial. I’m familiar with the proceedings of the U.S. judicial branch through courtroom dramas like Witness for the Prosecution, To Kill a Mockingbird, A Few Good Men, and Anatomy of a Murder, which inspired the title of this movie. I appreciated this window into the French legal system, and Anatomy of a Fall ranks up there with the very best of them.

10-27-23