'Sentimental Value' Review: Joachim Trier’s Most Mature and Heartfelt Film Yet
In Joachim Trier’s latest film, a renowned Norwegian filmmaker, Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård), reconnects with his estranged daughter Nora (Renate Reinsve), an actress. He asks her to star in his new movie, a deeply personal story inspired by their own family history. When Nora declines, he casts a Hollywood star, played by Elle Fanning, blurring the boundaries between fiction, memory, and reconciliation.
A Nuanced Exploration of Family and Art
The film navigates the space between a conventional family drama and a layered, self-reflective work about the enduring connections across generations and time, told through the medium of cinema. It stands out as Trier's most restrained and mature work to date, moving beyond some of the stylistic excesses typical of his earlier screenplays.
"This time he manages to keep it all grounded through a tense, complex father-daughter relationship defined by miscommunication, both in life and in art."
Characters and Relationships
- Nora Borg (Renate Reinsve) – an actress estranged from her father.
- Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård) – a famous filmmaker with a distant relationship to his daughters.
- Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) – Nora’s sister, also part of the fragmented family dynamic.
- Hollywood Star (Elle Fanning) – cast by Gustav when Nora refuses his request.
Gustav has long been detached from his family, rarely seeing his daughters or his young grandson, which adds layers of emotional complexity and tension to the narrative.
Conclusion
Sentimental Value is a mature, introspective film that uses a troubled father-daughter relationship to explore themes of memory, artistic truth, and familial reconciliation, marking a significant achievement for Joachim Trier.
Author’s summary: Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value is a deeply personal and restrained film that intricately portrays a fractured father-daughter bond through a blend of family drama and cinematic reflection.