Movie Review: Reversal of Fortune (1990)

Reversal of Fortune, a 1990 American drama film, offers a compelling portrayal of the infamous von Bülow case, adapted from Alan Dershowitz’s book. Directed by Barbet Schroeder, the film stars Jeremy Irons as Claus von Bülow, Glenn Close as Sunny von Bülow, and Ron Silver as Alan Dershowitz, with Irons earning the 1990 Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance.

Narrated by the comatose Sunny von Bülow, the story delves into the mysterious circumstances surrounding her condition and the subsequent trial of her husband, Claus, accused of attempting her murder by insulin overdose. Irons masterfully embodies Claus’s enigmatic persona, while Close’s portrayal of Sunny adds depth to the narrative.

At its core, Reversal of Fortune is a legal thriller, intricately weaving together the complexities of the case with the dynamics between the characters. Dershowitz’s reluctant acceptance of Claus’s case, despite initial doubts about his innocence, sets the stage for a riveting courtroom drama.

Clocking in at just over two hours, the film maintains a gripping pace, aided by its stellar cinematography and meticulous attention to detail. Viewers are gradually drawn into the unraveling of Sunny’s life, from her struggles with addiction to the revelations about her medical condition.

When the movie was released in 1990, Claus von Bülow was still married to Sunny; however, they later divorced.

I did a bit of research into what happened next and here’s how it went:

Claus and Sunny shared a daughter, Cosima, alongside Sunny’s two older children from her previous marriage. When Sunny lapsed into a coma, Cosima’s support for her father exacerbated tensions among the step-siblings, ultimately leading to Cosima’s exclusion from her grandmother’s inheritance.

Despite Claus’s acquittal in the second trial, repercussions ensued. Sunny’s older children initiated a $56 million civil lawsuit against Claus on their mother’s behalf. To resolve the matter, Claus opted to divorce Sunny, relinquish all claims to her estimated fortune of $25 million to $40 million, and depart the country. In return, Cosima was reinstated in her grandmother’s will, securing a $30 million share of the estate.

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Movie poster credits: Wikipedia