ANATOMY of a FALL-Breaks Apart a Marriage and Tears at the Heart

The French film ANATOMY of a FALL is a haunting thriller and courtroom drama that lands the widow on trial for her spouse's murder. The pieces don't all add up leaving questions to her guilt, beseeching answers as to how and why. What's clear is a troubled marriage whose problems get shredded before a packed courtroom that includes their eleven-year-old son Daniel (Milo Machado in a heartbreaking performance).  The married couple is composed of acclaimed German novelist Sandra (a stellar Sandra Huller) and Samuel (Samuel Theis) whom we glimpse only in flashbacks. The movie's nebulous, troubled beginning is of young woman attempting to interview Sandra in their rustic home amidst the sparsely inhabited French Alps.  It's early afternoon and Sandra is imbibing in a glass of wine. Sandra's bumptious banter is interrupted by ruckus music rendering conversation futile.  Sandra asks to reschedule without having asked her husband to lower the volume.  Not long after the woman's departure which plays into the trial, we witness a man falling from the third floor balcony to his death. Their son and his seeing-eye dog are the first to discover the body.  Daniel yells for his mother's help. These scenes are scrutinized by the police and an investigation leads to Sandra being charged with murder.  The film melts into a fascinating analysis of grief, resentment and guilt. Daniel mourns the loss of his father.  The loss of his vision caused by an accident years before doesn't blur his keen insight into his parents' tumultuous relationship. The playing of a concealed audio tape taken by Samuel of a verbal/physical altercation with Sandra is played in court to frame her motive and character.  The depiction of French court proceedings varies strikingly from our legal systems. The cross-questioning of a witness may be simultaneous and the combative nature of questioning is given huge leeways.  It's surprising what's considered hearsay when testifying.  And, it's contentious what constitutes subjective v. objective interpretations.  Expert witnesses present opposing conclusions casting doubt on the validity of expert witnesses.  Sandra has steadfastly retained her innocence. We're driven with faulty cracks from our observations and courtroom testimony.  In fact, why would an embittered woman push her husband to his death rather than push for a divorce.  Without being struck over the head, we experience bruising in logic arrived from various angles. The most potent pangs come from the final testimony proffered from Daniel.  While his shattering testimony is not exculpatory proof of his mother's innocence, it is culpable of creating anguish. ANATOMY of a FALL is flawlessly acted and proves a faultless film.