Sentimental Value: A Brilliant Film With Brilliant Performances.

Sentimental Value is a Swedish film directed by Joachim Trier and starring Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Elle Fanning, and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas. The story follows estranged sisters Nora (Reinsve) and Agnes (Lilleaas) as they reunite with their filmmaker father, Gustav (Skarsård), after their mother’s death. As he prepares a deeply personal comeback film set in their family home, he casts a Hollywood star, Rachel Kemp (Fanning) after Nora turns down a role, forcing the family to confront inherited trauma and the complicated relationship between storytelling and emotional healing.

Sentimental Value

The film features consistently brilliant performances across the board. Reinsve and Fanning clearly stand out. Reinsve portrays a depressed daughter with an absent father in a deeply convincing and grounded way, especially early on, during a powerful anxiety attack before going onstage for her theater performance. Fanning takes on what is arguably one of the most difficult acting challenges: playing a character who is herself an actress, and a very talented one at that.

Sentimental Value

The compositions and cinematography are impeccable. The color grading is fairly desaturated, perfectly matching the film’s restrained tone and emotional dryness. This is further supported by the near absence of a musical score that, rather than hurting the film, allows the story itself to fully carry the weight and keep you engaged. Something difficult to accomplish.

Sentimental Value

As I mentioned in my After The Hunt review, I find it important for a film to show visual progression so you can clearly locate where you are within the story. While Sentimental Value also lacks noticeable visual shifts, this is ultimately compensated by the strength of the performances and the thoughtful choices made throughout the film.

★★★★