There are a ton of CGI-FEST, Big Dumb films out there, so when you run across a film that actually expects you to be intelligent and make up your own mind, you sit up and take notice.
Such is the case with the Oscar Nominated French Film ANATOMY OF A FALL, part mystery and part court-room drama, this film gives you the information you need to make up your own mind without spoon-feeding you the answer.
This is refreshing.
Nominated for BEST PICTURE, BEST ACTRESS (Sandra Huller) and BEST DIRECTOR (Justine Triet who also is nominated for BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY), ANATOMY OF A FALL tells the tale of the death of man from a fall. The question is, did he fall or was he pushed and, if he was pushed, who pushed him? It is this "anatomy of the fall" that is the central thrust of the plot and propels this intelligent whoddunit (or is it a whodunnit?) to a satisfying conclusion.
The Palme d'Or winner (Best Film) at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, Director/Screenwriter Triet gives you, the audience, all the information you need to know about this incident as the victim's wife, Sandra (in a deserved Oscar nominated performance by Sandra Huller) is put on trial for murder, Triet ratchets up the tension without telling you what to think or feel. It is a bold strategy by the Director made even bolder by the fact that she resists the urge to make Sandra a sympathetic, likeable character. Both Director/Writer Triet and Actress Huller make Sandra a "just the facts"/ let's look at the evidence type of defendant, never wavering in her insistence in her innocence while not playing for the sympathy of the jury or the audience.
As mentioned earlier, this film is part Court-Room drama and Triet is unflinching in her portrayal of the wild, wild west that is the French Judicial system. A system that is, by design, often chaotic and boisterous and it's a wonder that any kind of justice can be found in this environment.
But, justice - or at least a verdict - is rendered at the end and it is up to you to decide whether the court system got this right or wrong.
A smart, intelligent move by a smart, intelligent director of a smart, intelligent movie.
Letter Grade B+
7 1/2 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)
Such is the case with the Oscar Nominated French Film ANATOMY OF A FALL, part mystery and part court-room drama, this film gives you the information you need to make up your own mind without spoon-feeding you the answer.
This is refreshing.
Nominated for BEST PICTURE, BEST ACTRESS (Sandra Huller) and BEST DIRECTOR (Justine Triet who also is nominated for BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY), ANATOMY OF A FALL tells the tale of the death of man from a fall. The question is, did he fall or was he pushed and, if he was pushed, who pushed him? It is this "anatomy of the fall" that is the central thrust of the plot and propels this intelligent whoddunit (or is it a whodunnit?) to a satisfying conclusion.
The Palme d'Or winner (Best Film) at the Cannes Film Festival in 2023, Director/Screenwriter Triet gives you, the audience, all the information you need to know about this incident as the victim's wife, Sandra (in a deserved Oscar nominated performance by Sandra Huller) is put on trial for murder, Triet ratchets up the tension without telling you what to think or feel. It is a bold strategy by the Director made even bolder by the fact that she resists the urge to make Sandra a sympathetic, likeable character. Both Director/Writer Triet and Actress Huller make Sandra a "just the facts"/ let's look at the evidence type of defendant, never wavering in her insistence in her innocence while not playing for the sympathy of the jury or the audience.
As mentioned earlier, this film is part Court-Room drama and Triet is unflinching in her portrayal of the wild, wild west that is the French Judicial system. A system that is, by design, often chaotic and boisterous and it's a wonder that any kind of justice can be found in this environment.
But, justice - or at least a verdict - is rendered at the end and it is up to you to decide whether the court system got this right or wrong.
A smart, intelligent move by a smart, intelligent director of a smart, intelligent movie.
Letter Grade B+
7 1/2 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank(ofMarquis)