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Sandra Hüller and Swann Arlaud. © 2023 NEON, Les Films Pelléas, and Les Films de Pierre. Directed by Justine Triet.
Vizeit Reviews is in solidarity with SAG, however, SAG will allow film critics to continue their normal movie critiques as usual but with certain restrictions. [WGA has reached their deal with the AMPTP.]
Watched it at 59th The Chicago International Film Festival @ AMC Theaters (CIFF #1)
Did She Do It? The mysterious fall that everyone keeps talking about but we have the same question in our minds? Did Sandra kill her husband or was it just an accident? This film deeply explores a lot of themes of marriage but also trust, love, and identity. Anatomy of a Fall is a film that has a lot to unpack from but with the stellar performances and direction, you will find yourself glued to the screen. Let's visit the courtroom and listen to the unraveling truth of this "fall" while listening to 50 Cent. Story: A woman is suspected of her husband's murder after a mysterious fall. However, during trial, her only witness is her blind son which leaves the mother and the son in a moral dilemma. Suspense fills the air throughout this film and director Justine Triet captures it very effectively. The atmosphere and tone of the film are dreading and every second leads to something very important that the audience will miss in the background. Triet uses interesting yet beautiful and insane shots to make some of the most vital "evidence" in the film surprising. Simon Beaufils's beautiful camera work with Triet's great direction brings up certain moments that elevate each character's view of the murder. Even with the slick editing from Laurent Sénéchal, it allows the audience to become one of the jury members to witness the evidence presented during court. All of that is accompanied by Sandra Hüller's amazing performance which she lets her character bring her judgment into the picture and unravel who she is which answers the question of her husband's mysterious death. Even with the supporting cast of the film, Swann Arlaud was one of the highlights of the film which brought the tension higher and engaging. The writing of Hüller's character is so depth and nuanced that you already connect to her character in the opening of the film. A lot of well-put-together writing pieces make the prediction a bit more difficult in a good way to allow the audience to engage more with the story. Plus, the writing of the film doesn't overstuff certain character backgrounds and traits which allows the fluid of the film to be more thrilling and certain around the protagonist. The dialogue feels so natural and also the comedy here is intentionally and unintentionally funny which makes the dialogue and acting feel natural in its presence. Yet, some overlooked filmmaking elements should be highlighted in this review. The sound design here is interesting because it takes silent and loud moments which adds to the mystery of each scene. Even the opening sequence alone with the loud PIMP song by Bacao Rhythm & Steel Band can make the scene feel more tense and annoying in a good way. The distractions that Triet applies in each scene will force the audience to look beyond the picture through sound and interesting directing cues. When this is also applied through the courtroom scenes, it will make you think of what evidence is presented through each sequence. The courtroom sequences are well executed with a lot of intense drama and well-paced scenes that will leave you hooked. That piece of drama included in the film is its themes which capsulates the protagonist's story and the whole case surrounding this mysterious death.
Anatomy of a Fall has interesting themes about identity, marriage, and trust in and out of the courtroom. Since Sandra's accusation of her husband's death, she begins looking back on the decisions she made with her husband. The mother-father relationship is heavily discussed with the relationship of their child. Sandra's only child who can help her and himself to get out of this trial. However, Sandra's past was being discussed with her bisexual relationship with other women and we see her flirting actions right in the opening scene. It opens up on how Sarah really is at the point of her marriage and the matter the fact is that she's not happy with her relationship. Without any spoilers, the ending answers Sandra's marriage and identity problems in the opening scene. However, Sandra's struggle with trust makes the courtroom scenes more tense due to her blind son's lack of trust in her mother. All of those themes combined bring up a question, is Sandra really a trustworthy mother and wife? The answer speaks for itself in the film. Through all the narrative elements, the technical filmmaking here once again is sleek and amazing. The coloring of this film is very beautiful and saturated yet realistic. The production design of the house is unique and cozy as well. Technically, it's a well-made film but with its narrative, it is a strong foot. However, I have some criticisms that could've made the film much faster.
The film's pacing can be very slow in the second act of the film. There is tension to the scenes but sometimes, the tension can drag a bit which almost kills the suspense in the room. The film feels a bit long so that's why I felt like the film's pacing was slow right in the middle. There are easily some scenes that could've been shortened but not cut out because all of them were very essential. However, the one thing that I wished the film had was more energetic moments in the courtroom. There for sure were energetic moments outside of the courtroom scenes but during the trial, the energy felt mixed yet, the energy was still heated. Still, even by the final shot of the film, I was surprised at how this film hooked me till the end. Chilling, tense, and sophisticated, Anatomy of a Fall delivers a well-executed court drama that will leave you questioning the justification of the murders and Sarah's personal life. A lot of great thematic elements that add depth to Sandra's relationship with her son and husband. With the unique direction from Justine Triet, it elevates the courtroom sub-genre into a new direction in which other films will follow suit. Also, this is the right time for Sandra Hüller to get the Tár treatment during awards season.
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Vizeit Score: "A-"
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Copyright © 2023 Vizeit Reviews. All Rights Reserved. Review Written By: Everardo Garcia Jr. Editor In-Chief/Owner of Vizeit Reviews | (Chicago Indie Critics Member [CIC])
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