Common Sense Media Review
By Danny Brogan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
French courtroom drama has violence, suicide, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Anatomy of a Fall
What's the Story?
In ANATOMY OF A FALL, when the husband of Sandra Voyter (Sandra Hüller) is found dead, she immediately becomes the prime suspect. As the investigation and subsequent trial unfolds, the couple's marriage is forensically examined, and their son, Daniel (Milo Machado Graner), finds himself as a key witness.
Is It Any Good?
On the surface, this excellent French film is a courtroom drama that will keep you guessing right to the end. But Anatomy of a Fall is so much more than that. Its themes are as wide ranging as depression, jealousy, and guilt, as the relationship between Hüller's character, Sandra, and her deceased husband, Samuel (Samuel Theis), is put under the microscope. With Sandra the prime and only suspect in Samuel's death, the film trickles out snippets from their marriage, each one causing you to reassess what you previously thought. If that wasn't enough to keep your attention, there's also the fact that the couple's son is a key witness for the prosecution. Hüller is so good. As she bounces between speaking English (her character's preferred language, other than her native German) and French (the preferred language of her husband and the courts), so does the viewer's verdict as to her guilt or innocence. Her marriage to Samuel no doubt had its issues, in large part due to an accident Daniel had, which left him visually impaired. But was it enough to push her to murder? As the film demonstrates, pick at any relationship or family dynamic and you'll find cracks. This is a movie that will keep you thinking not just throughout its runtime, but long after the credits roll.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the character of Sandra in Anatomy of a Fall. Did your feelings toward her change throughout the movie? If so, in what way? How did this add to the overall experience of the film?
How do you think Daniel felt during the film? What kind of emotions do you think he experienced?
Discuss the strong language used in the movie. What did it contribute to the movie? Is a certain kind of language expected in a movie like this?
Talk about the violence in the film. Much of it was imagined. Did this lessen the impact? Why, or why not? Does exposure to violent media desensitize kids to violence?
How did this film compare to other courtroom dramas you've seen? What were the similarities and what were the differences?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 13, 2024
- Cast : Sandra Hüller , Swann Arlaud , Milo Machado Graner
- Director : Justine Triet
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Neon
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 151 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some language, sexual references and violent images
- Awards : BAFTA - BAFTA Winner , Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner
- Last updated : April 18, 2024
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