The Good, The Bad and The Critic

Established on March 19th, 2012 and pioneered by film fanatic Michael J. Carlisle. The Good, The Bad and The Critic will analyze classic and contemporary films from all corners of the globe. This title references Sergei Leone's influential spaghetti western The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Anatomy of a Fall (2023) Review

Title: Anatomy of a Fall 
Year: 2023
Director: Justine Triet
Country: France
Language(s): French, English



Justine Triet's Anatomy of a Fall won the Palm D'Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival. The 2022 winner, Triangle of Sadness, was my favourite film of that year, so I trusted Cannes to curate a film that would keep me engaged throughout the run-time. Triet's picture is fascinating; it's a film that subverts expectations regarding courtroom drams and feels more like Marriage Story than Basic Instinct

Sandra Voyter (Sandra Huller)  is suspected of murder after her husband's death, and their partially sighted son (Milo Graner) faces a moral dilemma as the main witness.


Hollywood has made us accustomed to suspenseful pictures trying to sweep the run under us with an over-the-top twist, but Anatomy of a Fall's screenplay is more complex & has more on its mind than boring tropes and clichés. This film is psychological and sociological deep dive into the anatomy of a marriage. It is also about gender roles, disability, ambition and depression. 

Sandra Huller's performance is remarkable, playing a complex character who you can simultaneously empathize with and doubt. The directing and cinematography are remarkable, each shot is delivered in an effective, deliberate way that adds to the suspense of the drama. 

Anatomy of a Fall is a very well made film about the nature of truth and the difficulty of finding justice. The film refuses to give decisive answers and examines how people justify their own narratives based on information they are given. It's a great movie that deserved its Palm D'Or. 



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