[Review] Anatomy of a Fall
In a courtroom, in the absence of video footage or reliable eyewitnesses, the prosecution and defense can only attempt to present different pieces of evidence and testimonies, offering two completely different narratives to persuade the judge or jury that their presented version is the closest to the truth. However, the version presented in court is often one-sided, as we may never be able to truly represent the facts of what has already occurred. And when these cases involve suspects, both sides will use testimonies from different people to portray the suspect's character and past, attempting to analyze their motives and increase the persuasiveness of their arguments. But human personality is complex; we cannot fully present all aspects of a person, so what is presented in court may not be the whole truth.
The medium of film shares many similarities with the aforementioned characteristics of a courtroom. It also narrates an event by selectively presenting different fragments, partial behaviors, and aspects of characters' personalities. Although Anatomy of a Fall involves a suspected murder case, its focus is not on revealing who is right or wrong or finding the killer. Instead, by narrating the court trial process, it highlights the one-sided nature of this process, the complexity of a marital relationship, and the complexity of human beings themselves.
In the film, the prosecution's focus is not on the physical evidence at the scene. Instead, they attempt to guess the suspect's motives by presenting her past, behavior, and personality, portraying her as a murderer. Among other things, the prosecution emphasizes the suspect's role in the marriage and her relationship with her husband, attempting to judge and even demonize the suspect's character. The screenplay, by showing how the prosecution simplifies a marital relationship and a person's personality, contrasts this with the complexity of a marital relationship and the inherent complexity of human character and behavior.
After watching the film, we may not know who is right or wrong, and we may not know if the suspect is guilty. However, we witness Sandra Hüller's portrayal of a woman's different facets, prompting us to reflect on the limitations of the court and the complex relationships between people.
Synopsis:
For the past year, Sandra, her husband Samuel, and their eleven-year-old son Daniel have lived a secluded life in a remote town in the French Alps. When Samuel is found dead in the snow below their chalet, the police question whether he was murdered or committed suicide. Samuel's suspicious death is presumed murder, and Sandra becomes the main suspect. What follows is not just an investigation into the circumstances of Samuel's death but an unsettling psychological journey into the depths of Sandra and Samuel's conflicted relationship.
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Photo: TIFF
Source: Neon