REVIEW: SENTIMENTAL VALUE

I only knew the synopsis for this film before going in. Not one I would usually see but preparing for awards season and this has got a lot of nominations and great ratings and reviews. I love Elle Fanning and Stellan Skarsgard so my expectations were medium to high going into this.

Sentimental Value, directed by Joachim Trier, became a movie through a collaborative writing process between Trier and Eskil Vogt, inspired by a desire to explore family dynamics, generational trauma, and the nature of filmmaking itself, using a family home as a central character and exploring themes reminiscent of '70s American dramas, with Stellan Skarsgård, Renate Reinsve, and Elle Fanning bringing the complex characters to life. It evolved from focusing on sisters to incorporating the estranged director father, Gustav, whose attempt to make a biopic about his own mother's tragic life in their shared home becomes the film's core conflict, blending personal history with cinematic storytelling.

It definitely drew me in, even with all its complicated relationships, it was still intriguing. Family themes run heavy throughout, or should I say dysfunctional family themes which also came with themes of understanding others at the end. I have to be honest, this movie is too much for me to review. For one of my first reviews anyway. I am not even gonna try to comment on the complicated story or relationships because it is just too much. The performances were great, honest and heartfelt, that’s all I feel I can comment here. “Authentic” is a perfect one word way to describe this film. There was humour but it was real life humour, not scripted in a comical way to elevate the film, it fit right in with the world it created. The solid performances all round made it this complicated but well written script work. There is a lot of things to unpack with this one but I will be happy to do so…….after some time, on a second watch down the line.

7/10