This multi-award winning, French film is about a writer trying to prove her innocence during an investigation into her husband’s death. Set in snowy Grenoble, France, the drama revolves around the husband’s fall from their chalet. Was it suicide or was he pushed?
Sandra Huller plays the wife and the mother to their son, Daniel, (meticulously acted by juvenile Milo Machado Graner). Samuel Teis plays her erstwhile, now deceased husband, and the family-trio deliver impressive performances as the central characters.
Essentially, a courtroom drama, the tension builds as the audience begins to question, did she or didn’t she do it? A stand out performance, from Swann Artaud as Sandra’s sympathetic lawyer – with a courtly doff to Antoine Reinartz as the suitably irritating prosecutor.
As the evidence is revealed, the film becomes as much about the dissolution of a relationship as much as a possible murder.
Deftly directed by Justine Triet and co-written by Arthur Harari, the script captures all the frustration, boredom, tension and true drama of a trial.
Expect a slow-moving burn, that will have you discussing the case long afterwards.
The dog, Snoop, as a key participant is an added bonus. (Oh! It would have been great to see his dog-cam, eye-witness version at the end!)
Rating: Recommended beyond a reasonable doubt with added WOOF-