User reviews

Anatomy of a Fall is a French film that explores the ambiguity of how we create notions of the truth through complexity of a criminal case. The film refuses to answer the question of guilt or innocence, but rather examines how people construct their own narratives based on partial and biased information. The film shows how gender, media, and personal motives influence the interpretation of the facts. The son of the accused, who is the only witness, admits that he does not know what really happened, and that he has to make a choice about what to believe. The prosecutor, who seems to have a personal vendetta against the accused, also relies on assumptions and speculations rather than solid evidence. The film is a compelling and nuanced study of human psychology and social dynamics. The film is well-acted and directed, but it could have been shorter. Some scenes in the courtroom are repetitive and drag on for too long.

The beauty of the film truly lies in how delicately it's paced throughout. Even when it takes the shape of a courtroom drama with great attention to detail, it still rests firmly on the emotional bonding between the lead characters - in this case, a mother (Sandra), her son (Daniel), and their dog. That never takes a backseat, despite the film turning into a murder mystery (of sorts) at several points. I absolutely loved the performances here, be it Sandra Hüller, Swann Arlaud, Milo Machado Graner, and Samuel Theis. And for all it's worth, the standout here is Snoop (the dog), and his presence not only drives the story forward at a pivotal juncture, but this wonderful canine also takes the audience's perspective in the beginning and at the end of the film. He's travelling with these characters just like us, while also playing the role of an unconditional guardian angel to Daniel.

When the writing digs deep into the intricacies of a marriage, it is poignant, relatable, and hard-hitting. Both the husband and the wife are writers essentially, and that makes their struggles and little victories all the more accessible. The changing dynamics in their relationship is brought to light through superbly shot flashbacks (just as their audio recordings are being played in court), and we as audiences, understand what each half of the couple is going through. The journey is dramatic alright, but since the outcome determines whether the mother gets to reunite with her son after a long, drawn-out trial, it always remains riveting to watch. The "lesser" moments - like a scene that depicts Sandra and her lawyer friend drinking together, are also beautifully staged.

Did she do it? That's the question that kept my eyes wide open and made me so hyped throughout this entire enthralling courtroom drama. In fact, I was challenged to do the work along with the jury and perceive exactly what Daniel felt. This film's realism really connected with me. It was so accurate and stressful that I forgot I was watching a film. I felt like I was watching a true story or the news or something. That is why it was very skillfully executed and well acted, as we have seen a brilliant performance from the leading actress, Sandra Hüller, who convincingly conveyed a dynamic variety of emotions.

And the Oscar goes to... Messi (the dog's real name). Feels ironic, right? Haha.

Anatomy of a Fall is a clever and compelling drama about a woman who must prove her innocence after the unexpected death of her husband.

It's not quite a mystery/why whodunnit, or a full-blown courtroom drama. And it's not a foreign movie either, as it slips in and out of English and French. It's a movie about the complications of a situation and the language barrier to get information across, both literal, as our main character has some trouble speaking French, as she is originally from Germany, and metaphorical with trying to communicate what we are feeling and saying to people who don't seem to listen.

We slowly learn what type of relationship it was between her and her husband during the trial, as she shares personal information to prove her innocence or a secretly recorded audio during a heated moment that gives you a better idea of their relationship.

Sandra Hüller's performance was fantastic, and her character is complex. One scene is when she delivers a fiery monologue, and it holds you in your place. I was unaware of her work beforehand, but after this film - she is on my radar. I cannot wait to see her in the Auschwitz film The Zone of Interest.

There is a stellar child performance from Milo Machado Graner and a challenging part, especially for his age, but he blew me away. The final speech he delivers towards the end is both beautiful and devastating.

All the acting from the cast was superb. Even the family dog was fantastic.

The directing and camera work was superb, and every shot was well thought out and presented effectively. The script was tremendous, as the dialogue and plot were terrific, but it also gave the actors a lot to work with.

My only issue with the film is the courtroom stuff, which slowed the pacing. While those scenes weren't awful, they just got repetitive after a while.

Overall rating: Anatomy of a Fall is a gripping drama that keeps you guessing. Both while you are watching the movie and long after it's over.

... the performance of the child actor: Milo Machado Graner. All the other actors were brilliant and amazing in their own ways, especially Sandra Hüller and Swann Arlaud. However, due to the demanding nature of the task at hand, Graner did superbly. He never phones it in. It's a calibre I've never witnessed before to this degree from a child actor. Surely I haven't seen all the classics and films in the world to make such a statement as there is still so much left for me to watch. Regardless, Graner's performance gives me so much confidence in proclaiming the following statement: this is the best performance I've witnessed from a child actor (ever?). There is mastery exhibited both in the quiet moments and dialogue-heavy scenes. Just from his body language, things can be inferred and implied. Graner is subtle as much as he is unsubtle. It's quite hard to put it into words, which is a sign of something great. You feel things that words cannot describe. That's art.

As for the film itself, I think it's pretty good. I was expecting something more due to the critical buzz and its success at Cannes, so I can't say I wasn't a little disappointed. I feel like the movie was a bit too long and/or slow, which I usually don't feel if the plot and narrative is as gripping that the film presents (I'm a fan of courtroom dramas). I think the film wants you to be second-guessing the characters' actions and motivations, which is a clear choice by the director and that is fine. However, personally I would've liked it to be more critical of the French legal system with a clearer voice. What Anatomy of a Fall boils down to is the law vs truth in the face of a tumultuous marriage between two writers.

Rating might go up on a rewatch but doubt I'll be watching it anytime again soon due to the pacing.

Also: loved the instrumental that plays on repeat in the beginning hahah.

It's a great movie, without a doubt. Excellently directed with the best handling of the shots and the cameras of the year. The acting of Sandra Huller and the boy (whose name I'm forgetting) are impressive, worthy of award nominations. Not in vain the actress was in two of the best movies of the year. Her handling of languages and how she makes each dialogue credible is fascinating.

It's a hard and pure trial movie, in my opinion it has 2-25 minutes left over and I lack a soundtrack. In the end it leaves me wanting more because I was expecting a plot twist that would surprise. For the rest, highly recommended.

I usually like my films to provide conclusive answers to things like murders and death. In fact to anything! Be warned in this death mystery you mainly aren't being fed much conclusive evidence.

We follow a mysterious death in the French Alps as a novelist couple Sandra and University lecturer Samuel reside at a chalet with their visually impaired son.

Samuel falls to his death from the upper floor with devastating consequences where after initial investigation wife Sandra is made the primary suspect and a courtroom drama ensues including a tape recording of the couple's fiery relationship. Add to the mix that the main witness is the visually impaired son.

The French/English movie plot has death, a courtroom drama, foreign language with subtitles and plenty of thought processes to contend with the lack of conclusive evidence.

The film is pretty long but keeps the viewer engrossed throughout. The courtroom scenes are pretty different to your usual legal angle being French. Don't be put off some scenes are cleverly shot in English.

I never thought I would be endeared to such a film but I couldn't leave the screen. The plot, the cast, the French legal angle, the film towards the end where the son takes the stand are all highlights. A film I recommend wholeheartedly.

In many ways, Justine Triet's 2023 courtroom drama plays like many film classics before it like Billy Wilder's "Witness for the Prosecution" and Otto Preminger's "Anatomy of a Murder", but as usual, the art is in the plot twists and character revelations. In this respect, Triet and co-writer Arthur Harari have fashioned a mystery that appears to change tone and direction from scene to scene. The plot pivots on a family of three in an isolated French chalet - Sandra, a successful, German-born author, her struggling writer husband Samuel, and their son Daniel who recently lost his eyesight. Daniel finds Samuel dead from an apparent fall, and while it looks like a suicide, evidence mounts to the contrary. Precariously tethering the film emotionally is Sandra Huller's intensely compelling performance as Sandra. It's work that starts with subtleties and grows in complexity with sharp precision. Also remarkable is Milo Machado Graner's guileless work as Daniel - a great child performance. A genuinely absorbing film that justifies its 148-minute running time.

An engrossing, if perhaps slightly over-acclaimed, courtroom drama that masterfully balances suspense with emotional depth. Triet delves into the ambiguities of truth, relationships, and the narratives we construct to navigate complex realities. Hüller delivers a standout performance as a woman under intense scrutiny, her nuanced portrayal adding layers to the unfolding mystery.

The courtroom scenes are riveting, weaving meticulous legal procedures with the raw tension of a marital drama. The film's structure is sharp and deliberate, keeping you hooked as it probes the blurred lines between guilt and innocence.

Also, what an awful choice in music :O.

Movie felt very cerebral and french.

Where nonchalant remarks that might have got overlooked somewhere else, would get dissected at multiple layers exposing striking nuances.

Excellent acting performance from the actress and the boy.

The movie dissects sharply into the relationship and exposes it's complexities.

The child actor has given a phenomenal performance.

Excellent writing. Excellent acting performances.

A very realistic treatment. You would never guess the direction the movie is going to take.

Methodical, scientific, analytic approach to get to the truth. That is the reason the movie felt very cerebral. Is the emotional core of the movie overlooked? Not at all. But what you see people doing are all the hard have-to-do things. Procedures. Practicality is given a lot of importance.

Anatomy of a fall refers to the anatomy not only of the physical fall but also of the fall of the relationship, which gets dissected to a fault in the courtroom.

When the film ends, you are not done. You have a stream of questions still to ponder. It is an excellent work, not an easy watch.

An accident or an incident that then starts examination, as your world is then dissected and the roots pulled from foundations, interpretation and translation, vague and cryptic information, that may leave you with some years of deep reflective contemplation. Forensically the life you've led is stripped and searched - examined, layers of your soul removed just like a rabbit that's being skinned, to reveal the facts through diction, or is this all a work of fiction, as you try to wrench yourself from the state's cross to which you've been pinned. Just to complicate the picture there's a son who's in despair, the gaze that he once owned is now long lost - beyond repair, making sense of what's gone on, recollections are redrawn, perhaps the dog's the only one who really knew what's come and gone.

Sandra Hüller is quite spectacular.

Anatomy of a Fall" is a powerful cinematic masterpiece that left me deeply moved and contemplative. From the moment the film began, I was captivated by its raw emotion and compelling storytelling.

The performances in "Anatomy of a Fall" are absolutely outstanding. Each actor brings a level of authenticity and vulnerability to their role that is truly mesmerizing. I found myself fully invested in the characters' journeys, feeling their joys, struggles, and sorrows as if they were my own.

The cinematography in this film is breathtaking. Every frame is meticulously crafted, creating a visual feast for the eyes that perfectly complements the narrative. From sweeping landscapes to intimate close-ups, each shot serves to enhance the emotional impact of the story.

But what truly sets "Anatomy of a Fall" apart is its exploration of complex themes such as love, loss, and redemption. The film delves deep into the human psyche, forcing viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about themselves and the world around them.

In conclusion, "Anatomy of a Fall" is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant film that lingers long after the credits roll. It's a testament to the power of cinema to touch hearts, challenge minds, and inspire change.

The beginning of the film is a little irritating because of the strong tone, but you will realize later that it was necessary to experience the story. The focus of the film is directed most strongly on the trial process, which is different in other countries. There is a debate going on here, which is very interesting for us to see something different from those in American, English films, and that it is also different from where we are from. The script's approach is somehow sophisticated and unique and slow-motion exploration, with measure. There are complaints from those with veterinary knowledge that the screenwriters have no idea about the medicine and pharmacy of animal treatment and that they missed some items in the script in this regard. According to them, as a result, the film no longer functions properly! On the other view, Sandra Hüller is great in that role and that young actor, Milo Machado-Graner, whose character ultimately leads to the resolution of the dilemma of whether his mother is a murderer or not.

This film is a masterpiece who makes you feel the truth and the soul of the actors. Their feelings become your feeling, you feel their suffering, tears, fears, questions, doubts. You enter into their heads, brain and heart. No unnecessary music or artificial tricks: it is cinema in its purest form where the actors communicate their most intimate feelings. The spectators ate totally immersed in the supposed suicide of Sandra's husband Samuel who live together a lonely life in the mountains with their son Daniel. A trial must elucidate: was it really a murder or simply suicide? A great part of the film is made in the court before the judge and the jury. Every detail of the couple life between Sandra and Samuel is dissected, going very deeply into the facts, their history and their psychology. The performance of the actors is absolutely brilliant, the truth and authenticity of their acting is touching and going straight to the heart.

Ah, the beauty of Anatomy of a Fall lies in its ambiguity-it doesn't hand you a neat answer. The film is more interested in exploring how truth can be subjective and shaped by perspective. Whether Sandra (Sandra Hüller's character) did it or not is left intentionally open-ended, keeping viewers in suspense and sparking debates long after the credits roll. It's less about the "did she?" and more about how we interpret the evidence, emotions, and human flaws presented to us. What's your theory? My take? I lean toward her being innocent but emotionally complex. The film seems to suggest that relationships can be messy, with heated arguments that don't necessarily equate to guilt.

Anatomy of a fall, or... anatomie d'une chute, en france ! When a family member is found dead, the courts try to figure out just what happened, and who caused it. And of course, one of the witnesses (and a family member) is partially blind. Was it guilt? Suicide? Murder? It's very good, but so bloody long! Good performances by all the actors. About half of the time is spent in trial. Directed by justine triet. She won the oscar, along with arthur harari, for best screenplay. She was also nominated for best direction. The lead, sandra hüller was also nominated for best actress! Currently showing on hulu, applTV, and kanopy.

Greetings again from the darkness. It's not really possible to combine a murder trial with divorce proceedings, but this year's Palme d'Or winner at Cannes comes about as close as we can imagine. Writer-director Justine Triet and co-writer (and husband) Arthur Harari wrap a 'did she or didn't she' murder mystery in a relationship drama that plays out in a gripping courtroom drama. As for the title, there is an actual fall which leads to the dissecting of the slow fall of the marriage, as well as the emotional fall of having one's entire life laid bare in a public setting.

Sandra Huller was brilliant in TONI ERDMANN (2016), a film that you should see if you haven't already. She also starred in director Triet's film SIBYL (2019), which led her to be cast here as Sandra Voyter, a German writer, wife, and mother. If Huller's performance isn't the best of the year, it certainly is in the top three or four. She is stunning as a complex character grappling to hold on to the life she wants despite the obstacles beyond her control ... including an indictment and trial for murdering her husband.

There are so many pieces to this storytelling puzzle that it's quite challenging to paint a proper picture without giving away any of the minutiae surrounding what is the film's core: we never really know another person, and even knowing ourselves requires an honesty and perception most lack. Some of these pieces include jealousy, the motivation of a writer, guilt, blame, a child's view of his parents, the French courtroom process, and the need for understanding and closure. These aspects (and more) weave a tangled web over an extended runtime of 152 minutes that not only keep us focused on the trial, but also on the behavior of Sandra, and the excruciating thought process of her 11-year-old son Daniel (a remarkable Milo Machado Graner).

A wonderfully awkward opening scene sets the stage for us to recognize Sandra's annoyance and her (unseen) French husband Samuel's (Samuel Theis) purposeful intrusion. This leads to their partially-sighted son Daniel taking the dog for a walk, and his subsequent stumble upon his father's dead body in the snow. The police investigation is inconclusive, with an explanation available for three possible causes: an accidental fall from the attic window, a suicidal dive from the window, or a deliberate push from that window. With conflicting evidence, and only theories at hand, Sandra is indicted and faces a trial focused less on her husband's death, and more on the secrets and arguments - the ups and downs - of their relationship.

It seems the prosecution case boils down to ... she must have done it because they had arguments and she wrote about it. The prosecutor is played by a fiery Antoine Reinartz, while Sandra's defense attorney (and long-ago lover) Renzi is played by a calm Swann Arlaud. It's only in a crucial flashback that we witness husband Samuel (Samuel Theis) and wife Sandra in the midst of an argument that seems to hold the clues needed to assist viewers in a final decision. However, even that isn't simple due to the approach taken by son Daniel with his dog Snoop (also remarkable!).

The chalet in the French Alps plays a role in the fall as well as the relationship. Verbal sparring is not limited to the above-mentioned flashback, but also in the courtroom where the lines between solicitors crackle with preciseness as Sandra controls her emotions. Even the language differences between French husband and German wife are part of this, but the odd French courtroom process will likely catch outsiders off guard. This is a gem where we as viewers are chugging right along with Daniel and the judges as words and emotions take the place of physical evidence. Camera work from Simon Beaufils is unconventional yet succeeds in putting us in the chalet as well as the courtroom. Some may see the ending as ambiguous, but listening to the big argument and following the dog and Daniel should provide the clarity viewers seek.

Opens in theaters on October 27, 2023.

As I've become a person that aims to watch at least one movie a day (incredibly easy thanks to services like Netflix), I've developed the bad habit of using movies as "background noise". It has negatively affected my attention span even when I've paid 15 Pounds to watch a movie in the cinema.

However, my bad habit was completely tamed by Anatomie d'une chute. Not for a second did I have the desire of reaching out for my phone. This has got to do with the fact that the movie follows a slow but effective pace. Instead of throwing action scene after action scene in your face, you become absorbed with a case that makes you question your own capability of judging human nature. The crucial question plaguing the son of the accused is this: When can you be sure?

The plot revolves around love, jealousy, envy, depression, talent, fulfilment: all ingredients to a perfect cocktail of Drama. The viewer gets a full insight into the rather dark sides of what seems like a harmonious marriage at first. Secret after secret is revealed, leading you to review your previous conclusion one time after another, until you ultimately have to decide alongside her son: Is she guilty or is she not?

This is the type of movie that does not need big Hollywood names to shine. It instead has the potential to create big Hollywood names. The acting is as brilliant as the script itself. This was easily one of the best movies I watched in the year 2023.