Anatomy of a Fall Spoiler Review: Tug Of War Between Court Room and Marital Strife
Anatomy of a Fall AKA Anatomie d'une chute is a strong bilingual courtroom drama that strongly focuses on marital strife and its consequences. The movie will play with your brain as if whether you choose the protagonist is innocent or guilty.
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French Name: Anatomie d'une chute
Director: Justine Triet
Writer: Justine Triet and Arthur Harari
Cinematography: Simon Beaufils
Main Cast:
Sandra Hüller as Sandra Voyter
Milo Machado Graner as Daniel Maleski
Swann Arlaud as Vincent Renzi
Antoine Reinartz as The Prosecutor
Samuel Theis as Samuel Maleski
Jehnny Beth as Marge Berger
Release Date: 23 August 2023 (France), 13 October 2023 - Limited Release (USA)
Streaming Platform: Available To Rent Or Buy On Various Platforms such as Apple TV, iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, YouTube, Google Play Movies & TV, and more.
Runtime: 2 hours 31 minutes
Rating: R
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Anatomy of a Fall Synopsis
Anatomy of a Fall is a gripping French drama that follows the story of Sandra Voyter, a novelist and mother who is accused of murdering her husband, Samuel. The film delves deep into the intricacies of their marriage and the events leading up to the fateful day when Samuel is found dead in the snow outside their home in the French Alps.
Anatomy of a Fall Full Plot(Spoiler Ahead)
In a secluded mountain chalet near Grenoble, Samuel Maleski's death sparks a complex investigation. His wife, Sandra Voyter, a bisexual novelist, and their son, Daniel, who is blind and has a guide dog named Snoop, are left to navigate the aftermath of the tragedy.
Sandra, speaking with her lawyer, Vincent Renzi, insists that Samuel's death was an accident, but Vincent points out that the court may not believe her. Sandra then reveals that Samuel had previously attempted to overdose on aspirin after going off antidepressants. Vincent notices a bruise on her arm, which she claims was from an accidental collision with a countertop.
Daniel initially tells the police that his parents were having a calm conversation when he left the house, but he provides conflicting accounts of his exact location. This, along with the autopsy report, blood spatter evidence, and a recorded fight between Samuel and Sandra, leads to an indictment.
During the trial, Sandra's defence argues that Samuel fell from the attic window and hit his head on a shed, while the prosecution claims that Sandra struck him with a blunt object and pushed him from the third-floor balcony. A heated courtroom exchange between the defence and Samuel's psychiatrist, who maintains that Samuel had no suicidal intentions, reveals Sandra's resentment towards her husband.
The recorded fight between Samuel and Sandra exposes accusations of plagiarism, infidelity, and control. The argument turns violent, but it's unclear who initiated the aggression. The prosecution asserts that Sandra was the sole aggressor, while she claims she threw a glass at the wall, slapped Samuel's face, and that her bruises resulted from Samuel grabbing her.
Following the revelation of Sandra's affair with a woman, the prosecution argues that Samuel's loud music was a sign of jealousy over Sandra's interaction with the interviewer. They claim that this jealousy led to a physical confrontation and, ultimately, to Samuel's murder. The prosecutor highlights the parallels between Sandra's conflicts and the themes in her stories, suggesting that her writing could reflect her actions.
Sandra argues that a single audio recording cannot accurately portray their complex marriage and that her novel's character does not reflect her personality. Disturbed by the situation, Daniel insists on testifying before the trial's closing arguments. The judge establishes strict guidelines to prevent external influences on Daniel's testimony.
Daniel requests that Sandra leave the house for the weekend, leaving him with his court monitor, Marge, and his guide dog, Snoop. After recalling Sandra's testimony about Samuel's aspirin overdose, Daniel realizes that Snoop had become sick around the same time and suspects that he may have ingested some of Samuel's vomit. Daniel tests this theory by feeding Snoop aspirin and finds that it has the same effect, corroborating Sandra's testimony.
Daniel confided in Marge his difficulty in discerning the truth, to which she advised that sometimes when faced with uncertainty, we can choose what we believe to be true. On the witness stand, Daniel admits that he can't comprehend the idea of his mother committing the act, but he can understand if his father did it. He recounts a conversation with Samuel about the inevitability of loss and the importance of moving forward, which leads Daniel to believe that Samuel may have been contemplating suicide.
Sandra is ultimately acquitted following Daniel's testimony. When she returns home, Daniel confesses his apprehension about her homecoming, and Sandra shares that she is also nervous. The mother and son share a warm embrace. Before bed, Sandra pauses at a photo of her and Samuel, then falls asleep with Snoop.
Anatomy of a Fall Ending Explained
The ending of Anatomy of a Fall leaves the audience with a few unanswered questions, as it does not explicitly reveal whether Sandra Voyter is innocent or guilty of her husband's death. Throughout the trial, it is revealed that Sandra and Samuel had a turbulent marriage with frequent conflicts, and Sandra had affairs during their relationship. The final scenes of the movie show a last-minute piece of evidence that emerges, which is a recording of a violent fight between Sandra and Samuel shortly before his fall. This recording paints Sandra in an even more negative light, but ultimately, the trial hinges on her son's testimony. Finally, Sandra is acquitted, and the audience is left to decide whether she is innocent or guilty.
Anatomy of a Fall Star Cast Performance
Sandra Hüller is the star of the show. She portrays a complex and compelling character with strength and vulnerability. The subplots involving her husband and a recorded argument added depth to the character.
Milo Machado Graner's portrayal of Daniel, the blind son, is rich, complicated, and emotionally powerful. He reminds me of a young Haley Joel Osment.
Swann Arlaud, as Vincent Renzi, plays Sandra's lawyer and delivers a great performance as a loyal friend and a defence lawyer. Also, Antoine Reinartz gave a powerful performance as the prosecutor, which was thrilling to watch.
All the other supporting characters were very natural and good, but a special shout-out goes out to "Snoop," the dog in the movie. There is something unique and interesting about his eyes, which somehow convey a lot of emotion, especially the poison scene towards the film's end.
Anatomy of a Fall Review (Our Verdict)
Anatomy of a Fall is a masterpiece movie. From the beginning to the end of the film, you will be judging the character of Sandra, whether she is the killer of her husband or innocent. The movie delves deeply into their marriage and her relationship with her blind son, Daniel.
The movie also shows the dark side of media trials, which gives you a sense that the main character is portrayed as evil without any judgment. The main thing the movie does is show you whatever the facts available and play with your emotions, which will make your judgement either in favour or against the protagonist.
As per my analysis, Sandra is not guilty, and Samuel has taken his life as he was depressed as he was struggling to keep up his professional and personal life together, especially the guilt he bore regarding his son's accident. Just like the movie "A Star Is Born", Samuel could not cope with Sandra's success.
The courtroom drama was riveting, especially how the prosecutor assassinated Sandra's character. The switching between languages becomes part of the story, which creates different layers. The movie slowly reveals layers, deconstructing initial perspectives and shifting perceptions and not about the mystery. The movie writer and director, Justine Triet, has done an exceptional job, which is crucial to its success and makes it a worthy contender for the Oscars.
FAQs
What is the language of the movie?
The movie is primarily in French and English, with some German.
What is the French title of the movie?
The French title of the movie is "Anatomie d'une chute."
What is the premise of Anatomy of a Fall?
Anatomy of a Fall is a French courtroom drama and psychological thriller film that follows the story of a woman named Sandra, who is accused of murdering her husband.
Who directed and wrote the film?
Anatomy of a Fall is directed by Justine Triet and co-written by Arthur Harari.
What is the release date for Anatomy of a Fall?
Anatomy of a Fall was released in 2023 and premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2023. It was also released in France on 23 August 2023 and 13 October 2023 in the USA (Limited Release In Theaters).
When will Anatomy of a Fall be available for streaming?
Anatomy of a Fall is currently available for digital rental or purchase on various platforms, including Apple TV, iTunes, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu, YouTube and Google Play Movies & TV.
What is the film's genre?
Anatomy of a Fall is a French courtroom drama and psychological thriller.
Who are the actors in the film?
The main actors in Anatomy of a Fall are Sandra Hüller, Swann Arlaud, Milo Machado Graner, and Samuel Theis.
What awards has Anatomy of a Fall won?
Anatomy of a Fall won the Golden Globe 2024 Award for the Best Non-English/Foreign Language Film. Justine Triet and Arthur Harari won the Golden Globe for Best Screenplay for Motion Picture. The Film also won the prestigious Palme d'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, one of the highest honors in the film industry.
Is Anatomy of a Fall worth watching?
Anatomy of a Fall has a gripping story, strong performances, and thought-provoking themes. Anatomy of a Fall is a must-watch if you enjoy courtroom dramas and psychological thrillers.
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