Fact and fiction, reality and perception, collide in Justine Triet's 2023 Palme d'Or-winning film, Anatomy of a Fall.
Sandra Voyter (Sandra Hüller in top form), who lives in the Alps with her husband and son, writes novels that combine the two. She leaves it up to readers to distinguish one from the other. Triet and cowriter Arthur Harari, her partner, do much the same, because they present clues and recollections, but leave it up to viewers to determine the truth.
It begins with Sandra, drinking and conversing with Zoé (Camille Rutherford), an attractive student, while Samuel (Samuel Theis) insulates the attic--and blasts a steel band version of 50 Cent's "P.I.M.P." on repeat--while visually-impaired Daniel (Milo Machado Graner) gives their dog a bath. After Zoé leaves, Daniel takes Snoop for a walk, and returns to find his father's lifeless body in front of the house. Did he jump, did he fall--was he pushed? The film revolves around that question.
In the aftermath, Sandra meets with Vincent (Swann Arlaud), an attorney and former flame, to recount the day. She believes Samuel meant to irritate her with the loud music, but doesn't believe he meant to kill himself. She also insists she wasn't responsible. As the investigation continues, Daniel meets with a judge, he and Sandra reenact their last moments with Samuel, and the media starts following their every move. As more details come to light, inconsistencies accumulate.
Sandra and Samuel didn't have the happiest marriage, but at least she doesn't try to pretend otherwise. Tensions arose from infidelity, financial issues, and her greater success as a writer. Matters are further complicated when the court assigns a guardian (Savages front woman Jehnny Beth) to stay with Daniel, so Sandra can't unduly influence his testimony.
The film culminates in the trial, which takes place a year later in Grenoble. Though not a native speaker, Sandra has to testify in French (the film alternates between French and English). She and her son must also listen, along with the entire courtroom, to recordings Samuel made of the couple's heated arguments, and finds herself up against an openly hostile prosecutor (Antoine Reinartz), who even uses passages from Sandra's semi-autobiographical novels against her.
Anatomy of a Fall concludes with the verdict, but not necessarily the truth. To Triet, Sandra's culpability isn't unimportant, but she highlights the ways others take her to task for characteristics more acceptable in a man. When Samuel calls her "castrating," for instance--a rather misogynistic turn of phrase--it says more about his insecurity than her confidence.
If Triet eschews guns and car chases, her riveting thriller doesn't lack for twists and turns, but relies more on pungent dialogue, deeply-felt performances, and a spare, diegetic score consisting entirely of Daniel's urgent, percussive piano playing. Even Snoop (played by Messi, a border collie), his faithful companion, plays a part in helping to explain what might have led to Samuel's death. All in all, it's a masterful post-mortem as much about the mystery of a marriage as a fatal fall.
Is this French courtroom thriller a good choice for film clubs or discussion-based programming?
Absolutely. Anatomy of a Fall is exceptionally well suited for film clubs, discussion groups, and library programming centered on contemporary international cinema. Much of the film’s power comes from the fact that it refuses to provide easy answers, instead inviting viewers to weigh evidence, question assumptions, and draw their own conclusions. The ambiguity surrounding Samuel's death creates rich opportunities for conversation long after the credits roll, as audiences debate not only what happened but how and why they reached those conclusions.
Which library audiences will appreciate this Palme d'Or-winning drama?
Anatomy of a Fall is likely to appeal to patrons interested in international cinema, psychological dramas, courtroom narratives, and character-driven mysteries. Fans of European art-house films will appreciate its careful pacing, layered screenplay, and nuanced performances, particularly the remarkable work of Sandra Hüller. Viewers who enjoy films that prioritize moral complexity and ambiguity over straightforward resolutions will find much to admire here.
Enjoyed this review? Subscribe to Video Librarian today for access to over 40,000 pages of film resources tailored for librarians, educators, and non-theatrical audiences