“Anatomy of a Fall” is a refreshing take on the courtroom drama genre, as it delves into the intricacies of a marital relationship. Justine Triet’s film starts with a conventional mystery but gradually transforms into an exploration of a different kind of fall – not just a physical one, but the decline of a partnership over years marked by resentment and betrayal. At its core, the movie features a remarkable performance by Sandra Holler, possibly one of the best of the year. She plays a woman thrust into a nightmare when a French court indicts her for the murder of her husband. The film was awarded the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival, and rightfully so, as it transcends the boundaries of a mere mystery, becoming a profound examination of a marriage from various angles while emphasizing the idea that understanding others completely is a near-impossible feat. It’s a bold, lengthy film that may occasionally feel aloof and self-indulgent, but it builds up to a series of scenes that pack a powerful emotional punch, much like when a disagreement with a partner escalates beyond control.
Huller portrays Sandra, who is introduced through an interview about her life as a famous author. Triet’s film cleverly plays with the notion that writers inherently draw from the people around them to create unique characters, thereby making the protagonist’s profession integral to the narrative. It’s noteworthy that the lead couple shares the names of their real-life performers. As the interview progresses and takes on a slightly flirtatious tone, loud music abruptly disrupts the scene. This interview takes place in a remote cabin in the French Alps, surrounded by snow, where Sandra and her husband Samuel reside. The interruption comes from Samuel, who is playing an instrumental version of 50 Cent’s “P.I.M.P.” on repeat, at an increasingly higher volume. He appears to be deliberately sabotaging the interview, and he succeeds in driving the interviewer away. Their son, Daniel, takes their dog Snoop for a long walk during this chaos. When Daniel returns, he discovers Samuel lying in the snow with a bloody head wound. The central question emerges: Did he fall from the attic where he was working? Did he jump? Or was he pushed?
For the next two-and-a-half hours, “Anatomy of a Fall” meticulously documents the investigation and trial surrounding Samuel’s death. Every decision made not only on that fateful day but throughout much of their marriage is scrutinized by people who have never met Sandra, Samuel, or Daniel. The film vividly illustrates the avalanche of personal baggage that surfaces when a death is ruled inconclusive. Samuel’s therapist testifies that he wasn’t suicidal, but it’s evident that he only showed the therapist what he wanted him to see. The interviewer, who had just met Sandra, is asked to provide insights into a woman she barely knows. What could she possibly understand about their lives? The movie skillfully emphasizes that we only ever see a fragment of a person’s mental state. At times, it feels like Sandra’s personality is on trial. Nevertheless, some of the evidence suggesting her guilt is rather compelling.
“Anatomy of a Fall” might sound like it’s playing a mysterious game, but it avoids manipulation and suspense tactics. The film actually improves when it abandons some of the gamesmanship that a lesser filmmaker might rely on to tell this story. While there is a puzzle to be solved here, the true focus is on how couples communicate, or fail to do so, and the consequences of this communication breakdown. It’s significant that neither Sandra nor Samuel primarily communicate in their native language; they find common ground in English. Additionally, Daniel suffers from reduced eyesight due to an accident. The film underscores the idea that we don’t fully comprehend each other, and we don’t entirely see each other.
Sandra Huller delivers an astonishing performance, keeping much of Sandra’s motivations and hidden skeletons internalized. It’s evident that she has meticulously considered every aspect of this character, resulting in a nuanced, fully realized portrayal where the character’s backstory feels palpable in almost every scene. The film delves into the questions of how a woman like Sandra arrives at a point where her husband is suddenly dead, and her entire life is on trial. How does this traumatic event affect her? Huller’s performance avoids melodrama, which makes the film’s emotionally charged climax in an intense flashback all the more powerful and emotionally resonant. There’s a less accomplished version of “Anatomy of a Fall” that leans on overwrought melodrama and mystery, but this film prioritizes character development, and it’s the trust between Triet and Huller that anchors every scene and ties the narrative together.
At times, the 151-minute runtime may feel excessive for this story, but it adds to the film’s literary quality, setting it apart from conventional genre storytelling. The extended duration allows the audience to truly feel the coldness in Sandra and Samuel’s home – the chill in the air from both the snow outside and the emotional warmth that has drained from this family. How does one overcome feelings of resentment, infidelity, and a lack of trust in a partner? Or even worse, the sense that a partner doesn’t care? “Anatomy of a Fall” delves deep into these questions, but its most significant strength lies in acknowledging that it doesn’t possess all the answers.