Anatomy of a Fall: Multi-Language Legal Drama With Scope ❄️
This critically acclaimed 2023 French legal drama stars Sandra Hüller in fine form and was directed by Justine Triet. It was the year that really brought Hüller to international attention, with Anatomy of a Fall (Anatomie d’une chute) a big Oscar contender alongside her starring role in the remarkable Zone of Interest.
It’s already considered one of the best films of this decade. And whilst some of its courtroom drama escapades can be formulaic, there’s enough continuous intrigue going on to make it unique in its genre.
Suspecting the Suspect in Anatomy of a Fall
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTrsp5BMloA&w=723&h=407] The film begins in a remote mountain chalet in Grenoble. There the novelist Sandra Voyter (Hüller) reschedules an interview with a young female journalist as her husband Samuel is behaving like a prick.
He’s French, she’s German, and they typically communicate through English to avoid a language barrier.
After the journalist leaves the property, the couple’s 11-year-old son Daniel (who is visually impaired) takes the family dog for a walk. When he returns, he finds the father has has a major fall from the chalet and is deceased.
What follows is an eventual homicide accusation against Sandra Voyter, as it’s not 100% clear whether her husband fell.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4tp7QLgUZ0&w=723&h=407] The case goes to court and she faces intense scrutiny of her life and relationship. There are various revelations, including the husband’s use of anti-depressants and suicidal ideation. But it’s also revealed Sandra has been unfaithful in marriage, plus there’s an audio recording of the couple having very violent argument.
Where Anatomy of a Fall distinguishes itself from other courtroom dramas is its use of language. Set in a French courtroom with the accused a natural German speaker, the choice of language frequently changes across the whole film.
Sometimes they’re speaking in French, then German, then in court Sandra finds it less stressful talking in English as a kind of in-court compromise for everyone.
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhxaZlDMhCw&w=723&h=407] Another element is just how grounded the plot is in reality. There’s no Hollywood happy ending or the like, Anatomy of a Fall’s ending doesn’t provide any real answers on her guilt. And that’s all part of the thrill.
Did she or didn’t she do it!?
Despite its reputation, and moments of brilliance, we did find it all just another courtroom drama type deal. One that’s certainly made to a very high standard, with a carefully constructed script by Justine Triet and Arthur Harari. All the performances are excellent, too, led by Sandra Hüller (who is imposing in her natural brilliance for acting).
At two and a half hours it can labour on its theme building, too, but the cast is strong enough to make it worthwhile. And it’ll all leave you guessing until the final scenes. Grand stuff, a 4/5 from us, but we didn’t quite get the all-time-classic type deal.
The Production of Anatomy of a Fall
[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPGxlHk2X8&w=723&h=407] The film was a commercial hit, making $36 million off its $6.7 million budget. Critical acclaim and word of mouth helped a big deal there, as Anatomy of a Fall was the talk of the town across 2023.
It won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival (following a 370 year standing ovation) and got five Oscar nominations. It won for Best Screenplay.
Director Justine Triet wrote the film for Sandra Hüller. The whole point was to get her into the lead role, with Hüller wanting the film to be in all French. However, the language barrier is an important part of the plot and so this is a multi-language production.
Hüller had to go off and learn French for the role, which she did in four months.
The film was shot from February to May 2022 and the shoot was in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Montbonnot-Saint-Martin, and Genoble. The extensive courtroom scenes took place in a real courtroom in the historic French commune of Saintes, Charente-Maritime.
Triet is now regularly pestered about whether the lead character is guilty. She’s told the press she’ll confirm yes or no in 2033. We shall wait patiently, but out verdict is this… yes and no. Hope that clears up the confusion!
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