Anatomy Of A Fall: Compelling Courtroom Drama

This French film won the "Palme d'Or" award at the Cannes Film Festival.  The most compelling reason to see it is the AAW performance by Sandra Huller.  I still would give the Best Actress award to Emma Stone, but it's a close call.  Co-written and directed by Justine Triet, it's a very interesting film that deserves its Best Picture AA nomination.  However, much like my complaints about many of this year's top films, at 151 minutes, it's a half-hour too long.  Otherwise, I think it's a terrific film. Sandra Voyter (Huller) is a well-known author who has written numerous best-selling books.  She lives with her husband, Samuel (played by Samuel Theis), and son, Daniel (played by Milo Machado-Graner), in a small cabin in a remote area of the French alps.  The film opens with Sandra being interviewed by an attractive young woman.  Samuel is upstairs insulating the attic.  Suddenly, he starts playing very loud rock music, making the interview impossible.  Much to Sandra's annoyance, the interview is abruptly terminated.  Shortly thereafter, Daniel decides to take their pet dog (Snoop) for a walk.  When Daniel returns, Samuel is discovered lying in the snow, blood dripping from his head.  Daniel calls for Sandra and the paramedics soon arrive.  Unfortunately, Samuel is already dead.  The only two people who were in the vicinity at the time when Samuel fell were Sandra and Daniel. The police launch an investigation regarding Samuel's death, but it is inconclusive.  Did Samuel commit suicide by jumping off the attic ledge, accidentally fall, or was he pushed off the ledge by Sandra?  The police decide to charge Sandra with murder.  Most of the film involves her trial.  Much is revealed about Sandra, as well as Sandra's and Samuel's marriage, during the course of the trial.  The trial dissects Samuel's fall in every way possible, but also the slow-motion "fall" and unraveling of Sandra's and Samuel's marriage. In addition to Huller's outstanding performance, I must also give props to "Snoop," who's quite the scene stealer!  The "verdict" on this movie is that it's a winner!