Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

DVD CASE/SIDE

– Not yet released on DVD

Length of film:  152 Minutes

Rated:  15

Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller

Director: Justine Triet

Starring: Sandra Hüller, Swann Arlaud, Milo Machado-Graner, Antoine Rienartz, Samuel Theis, Jehny Beth, Anne Rotger

IMDB Rank: 7.8 /10

Part 1 Time:  72 Minutes 

Part 2 Time:  80 Minutes

Where does the first part end? Daniel (Milo Machado-Graner) meets with the Présidente du tribunal (Anne Rotger).

Final line of dialogue on the first part: “Even if you forbid me to come, I’ll find out. I’ll know what happened from TV, radio, internet. I’ll be obsessed,” Daniel exclaims to the Présidente du tribunal.

First line of dialogue on the second part: Day two of the trial begins as Avocat général (Antoine Rienartz) questions Sandra Voyter, “Ms. Voyter you claim your husband attempted suicide 6 months before he died.”

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Somewhat, it is not totally clear whether Sandra Voyter is responsible for the death of her husband, as both the Crown and the defence provide their own theories as to how the events unfolded. As the trial begins to explore the deep relationship struggles between Sandra and Samuel (Samuel Theis), Présidente du tribunal wonders if Daniel should continue to attend the trial.

Which part is better? Part two is better, due to the details of Sandra and Samuel’s relationship being disclosed, giving a shocking new perspective on the events leading up to Samuel’s death.

Academy Awards: 2024- Best Picture (Nominated), Best Director (Nominated), Best Leading Actress (Nominated- Sandra Hüller), Best Original Screenplay (Nominated), Best Film Editing (Nominated)

Other Awards: 2023- Palme d’Or (Winner); 2024 BAFTA- Best Film (Nominated), Best Film Not in the English Language (Nominated), Best Director (Nominated), Best Original Screenplay (Winner), Best Leading Actress (Nominated- Sandra Hüller); 2024 Golden Globes- Best Screenplay Motion Picture (Winner), Best Drama Motion Picture (Nominated), Best Non-English Language Motion Picture (Nominated) Best Female Actor in a Drama Motion Picture (Nominated- Sandra Hüller)