When I write a review, I try to avoid hyperbole. I do this because I don't like to speak in absolutes. It tends to set expectations too high or too low. This is all a preamble to say that I have seen the best movie of the year.

In "Anatomy of a Fall," When her husband falls out of a window and dies, Sandra Voyter (Sandra Hüller) is suspected of pushing him.

I was in complete awe for the majority of this movie. When the titular fall happens, Daniel (Milo Machado Graner), their son, is out on a walk with his dog and comes back to see his father's body on the ground. One of the best things this movie does is keep the audience off balance. You are never totally sure if Sandra is innocent. At first, it seems clear that she didn't kill her husband, but as the case unfolds, you begin to doubt that.

The court scenes are some of the most riveting parts of the movie. "Anatomy of a Fall" takes place in France, and the justice system looks slightly different than in the States. The biggest is that a defendant can address witnesses directly. Things seem looser than I have watched on countless hours of "Law and Order." These courtroom scenes are where this movie is at its very best. They are as riveting as any action scene in a Marvel movie.

"Anatomy of a Fall" is well over two hours long, but it doesn't feel like it. The plot moves along quickly, and nothing feels extraneous. That is something I can't say about many of these very long movies that have become a trend. This is one of those films that I can easily recommend; in fact, I am going to encourage you to see it. The movie is incredible.

9/10

Rated R for some language, sexual references and violent images.

2hrs. 31mins.