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As the saying goes, you can't have it all. Still, when it comes to choosing between having a career and raising a family, that's subject matter that has given moviegoers ample variety over the years. Whether it's The Pursuit of Happyness, The Devil Wears Prada or Up in the Air, filmmakers continue to revisit this theme time and time again. And with his latest comedy drama, Sentimental Value, The Worst Person in the World director Joachim Trier is adding another film to that list, in this tender yet wryly funny story about a father trying to reconnect with his two estranged daughters. 34-year-old aspiring actress Nora Borg (Renate Reinsve) never really had a good relationship with her father, Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård). So when you consider the fact that Gustav — who abandoned Nora, her younger sister, Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas), and their mother decades earlier — also happens to be one of Sweden's most well-respected directors, it's a miracle that she even wanted to be in the movie business at all. Now, after a 15-year hiatus, Gustav is planning on making his comeback film. However, the only thing tougher than securing financing and getting his former cinematographer to come out of retirement may be landing his lead actress. Having specifically written the part for Nora, Gustav has suddenly come back into his daughters' lives, an unexpected event that also coincides with their mom's passing. But will Nora agree to work with him, despite the years of bad blood between them? Or will Gustav have to make a go at his latest project by turning to one of Hollywood's hottest starlets, an up-and-coming actress named Rachel Kemp (Elle Fanning)? Touching, brilliantly acted, and relatable in every way, the result is a character drama that transcends language barriers and cultural backgrounds. For all its positive qualities, though, what will resonate with viewers the most are Reinsve and Skarsgård's portayals of a father and daughter duo struggling to reconcile their differences and heal their broken relationship. It's their performances that help make Sentimental Value as compelling as it is. And come awards season, it's likely their names that will be honored as well. |
Sentimental Value screens under the Special Presentations programme at the 2025 Toronto International Film Festival. Its runtime is 2 hrs. 15 min.
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