Sentimental Value

 

        Stellan Skarsgard stars in this new Norwegian drama about a fractured family. He plays a famous, retired film director, Gustav Borg, who sacrificed his personal life and connection to his two daughters for his professional life as a filmmaker.

         The film is directed by and co-written (with Eskill Vogt) by Joachim Trier and this is his third feature starring his favorite actress Renate Reinsve. Ms. Reinsve stars as Nora, the elder of Gustav's two daughter and the one that resents him the most. Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas plays Agnes, the younger daughter who has a son that Gustav adores.

          When Gustav returns home unexpectantly with a new script he has written, old resentments resurface, especially when he wants Nora to play the lead, and his grandson to play her son in his film. The film also co-stars Elle Fanning as a famous actress, Gustav hires for the film when Nora refuses the part.

           This is an excellent family drama with outstanding acting all around, but especially by Mr. Skarsgard and Ms. Reinsve. The pace is slow but Mr. Trier captures the realities of this splintered family in all their emotions and keeps the audience involved.