“A simple, profoundly moving drama.”

We tend to form connections to people, places and things – we aren’t the only species to do this, but rather the ones that have allowed it to become such a defining trait that we’re often assessed less on the contents of our minds or souls, but rather the extent to which we are attached to certain tangible items or people. However, while it is fascinating to look at the origins of this approach, it’s even more interesting to examine the aftermath of losing something. This is where Joachim Trier finds inspiration for Sentimental Value, his most recent voyage into the trials and tribulations of ordinary people facing certain challenges while trying to remain functioning, both socially and emotionally. The film follows Nora, a theatre actress whose entire life, both domestically and professionally, has been defined by others – her father Gustav is a celebrated film director, and her sister Agnes was the star of his most acclaimed film, and while the latter does live a relatively peaceful life now, her legacy follows her around everywhere. When Gustav reveals that he is making his first film in over a decade, he asks Nora to star – but recognising that it is an autobiographical account of Gustav’s upbringing (which includes his relationship with his mother, as well as the history of the home that has been in their family for generations), she swiftly rejects his offer, not realising that there is much more behind his decision to reach out to her in the first place. A simple, profoundly moving drama that finds Trier capturing different aspects of the human condition in vibrant detail, Sentimental Value is a staggering achievement – it is a subtle examination of many different themes, all of which can be traced back to the director’s deep fascination with the lives of others, weaving a quietly compelling tale of family, identity and the unbearable burden of the past. Something that we all carry with us and never can leave behind, regardless of our best efforts.

At its core, Sentimental Value is a film about art. However, it is not restricted to being a self-congratulatory exploration of how challenging it can be to make a film, nor is it about the unrelenting tug-of-war between film and theatre as the dominant form of artistic expression. These do factor into the narrative, but only in the sense that Trier is actively exploring the limitations of art as a means to process certain emotions or experiences. The creative process is different for everyone, whether an esteemed filmmaker who is at the point in his life where he is subjected to retrospectives more than he is seen as a revolutionary artist, or someone who has chosen to pursue her own path, against the expectations of everyone that imagined she’d be her father’s greatest collaborator, the muse that defined his entire career. Trier is certainly fascinated by these ideas, and Sentimental Value is a wonderful celebration of art as not only a form of expression, but a means through which some of the most challenging ideas can be filtered, giving us a better understanding of ourselves by forcing us to reflect on our inspirations and where they originate. It is not the first time the director has touched on art as a theme – nearly every one of his films focuses on someone who is creatively engaged in some way or another, put in a position where they have to choose between their craft or the wellbeing of others. While the film isn’t necessarily focused on providing answers to these questions, it is nonetheless a very moving exploration of the role creativity plays in the lives of those who find themselves saddled with the responsibility of being artists. It is something that Trier considers both a blessing and a burden, depending on how one perceives the specific ideas that inform Sentimental Value, giving it a unique, compelling perspective that alone makes it worth every moment of our time.

However, there is much more to Sentimental Value than a treatise on creativity and the double-edged sword of being artistically inclined. There are layers to this film, and it doesn’t take long to reveal that Trier is motivated by themes much closer to home. Each of his films touches on certain universal themes, and this one aligns primarily with the concept of family, something that he has explored in the past on a few occasions, but rarely as effectively as he did here. There are complexities to the relationships between these characters, and while it isn’t the only example of such ideas informing a film, we do find that Sentimental Value is far less impelled to resort to conventions, a welcome change of pace from the many emotionally fraught attempts to investigate these themes. The Borg family can’t truly be considered dysfunctional – they do have interpersonal issues and unresolved tensions, but there is an abundance of love and affection that exudes from every one of their interactions. They may have very different opinions and aren’t as close as they ought to be, but there is still meaning behind their family and their attempts to live in harmony, despite the conflicts that emerge throughout the film. The decision to centre the film around the childhood home of these characters not only provides a clear setting, but also anchors it within a particular conceptual foundation: a house is basically a building designed to provide shelter, yet it takes on a deeper meaning the more we allow ourselves to connect to it on an emotional level. The house represents generations of this family, and anyone who has ever experienced the process of selling a home will understand the strong emotions that emerge – Trier uses this as the impetus for a beautiful and poignant exploration of family and identity, looking at the past and present in tandem and creating a truly extraordinary piece of storytelling in the process.

As is the case with every one of his films, the primary aspect of Sentimental Value that Trier uses to bring these ideas to life is the performances. He is a brilliant filmmaker in terms of assembling strong casts, and he truly makes the right decision in pairing two actors as the leads of this film. Renate Reinsve skyrocketed to acclaim with The Worst Person in the World, a complex and daring character study about a young woman discovering that she will never quite know the answers to what she seeks, regardless of how hard she tries. In this film, she plays another version of this archetype. Nora is someone who doesn’t quite know where her life is heading, but is nonetheless wholeheartedly committed to finding the truth behind every decision she makes. It’s a subtle and nuanced performance, and much quieter than her previous work, but where the silences tend to speak louder than words. However, a performance like this can only be effective with an equally strong actor for her to play off of, and as great as Reinsve may be, Sentimental Value undeniably belongs more to Stellan Skarsgård. He delivers a career-best performance as Gustav, a man who realises that he is in the final chapter of his own life and sets out to redeem himself in the eyes of the people who he didn’t realise matter the most. In a career that has seen him playing hundreds of characters, Skarsgård finds some of the most truthful moments in this film, an exploration of a man reflecting on his own life and trying to come to terms with the mistakes he has made. He recognizes that he cannot erase them, but can still reconcile with those he has hurt in the process – the question is, are they willing to offer forgiveness? Supporting performances by Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas and Elle Fanning add nuance to the film, playing off the two leads exceptionally well and bringing so many complex ideas to life on screen, with the director once again proving that he has firm control over his actors, working closely with them to create these memorable, complex characters.

We do find that Trier consistently pushes the boundaries of his craft in creative ways. Much like his previous work, Sentimental Value is quite a subtle affair – there are very few moments of hysterics or over-the-top posturing, with the film as a whole being more aligned with the character-based dramas that inspired the director, both cinematically and on stage (the theatre plays a very important role here, as it is shown as a different medium that brings with it certain complex ideas that the film beautifully explores), and where nuance is a valuable commodity for everyone involved. However, the film is also very funny – it’s a quiet character-based comedy about people interacting, overcoming their personal crises of identity, but also trying their best to exist in a world that simply does not make sense to them. Humour is an important narrative device – there are so many nuanced ideas that populate this film and make it a beautifully poetic work; the occasional moment of levity breaks the tension and shows that there is still room for laughter in even the most emotional of stories. The exact direction in which the film intends to move is not clear at the start, but rather it functions as a journey covering a few months in the lives of these characters. Each moment is a piece of a puzzle that we have to construct to fully understand who these people are and what they represent, each moment we spend with them unravelling new qualities that make them far more three-dimensional and fascinating, rather than thinly constructed archetypes. All of this plays into the director’s tendency to draw on complex themes that aim to reflect life as it is, a series of joyful and melancholy moments, where triumph and banality co-exist beautifully and with such remarkable sincerity; something that is becoming one of Trier’s significant trademarks, and a reason he is celebrated as one of the most original and compelling filmmakers working today.

Trier is such a singular artist, and while his cinema is much more poetic and subdued than obviously dynamic, the ideas that exist in Sentimental Value show that he is a director with a unique voice and an even more interesting perspective. All of which forms the foundation for a truly compelling drama that aims to be as true to life as possible, even going so far as to fixate on some of the more obvious banalities that most filmmakers would view as unnecessary. They are, however, the core foundation for this tremendously moving work. Anchored by two exceptional performances, and driven by a sincerity and complexity that we cannot help but appreciate on a profound level, Sentimental Value is an immense achievement – a celebration of art, an exploration of family and a cautionary tale built around the importance of remaining true to yourself, regardless of the consequences. It’s a simple work, but one that has a firm command of all of its ideas, each one intrinsically woven into the fabric of a film that never abates in its willingness to challenge conventions through its subtle, poetic approach to the human condition. A wonderfully moving work that is as delightfully irreverent as it is genuinely heartfelt, this film is yet another feather in the cap of a director who is gradually establishing himself as an essential voice, and one of the finest social observers we have working in cinema today. It is perhaps a bit too early to tell, but it’s entirely possible that Sentimental Value will go on to be seen as one of Trier’s defining achievements, a work that is as compelling and enthralling as it is beautifully sweet, a combination that feels honest and sincere while also never shying away from the truths that define life and its many mysteries.