The Sublime Sentimental Value Is the Toast of Cannes This Year

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In the remarkable film “Sentimental Value,” Nora Berg, portrayed by Renate Reinsve, describes her troubled father-daughter relationship as one marked by poor communication. However, as the story unfolds in Joachim Trier’s latest work, we discover that this is just one facet of their complex bond. Nora, an actress, and Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård), a filmmaker, share too many similarities, which paradoxically pushes them apart rather than drawing them closer. It’s as if they’ve both arrived at a social gathering wearing identical outfits. Their intimacy problems are more profound, and they find it easier to channel their emotions into their work than to confront them directly in their personal lives. Both characters lean towards melancholy, and their solitude is a choice they attribute to their dedication to their art and the need for freedom.

Initially, Gustav abandoned his family when Nora and her sister Agnes were merely children. Years later, after their mother’s demise, he reappears in their lives, proposing that Nora star in his comeback film, a role tailored expressly for her. It remains uncertain who is extending the favor in this situation. Perhaps he’s genuinely trying to reconcile by offering her valuable material, or maybe he’s merely trying to boost his project with an appealing backstory, given Nora’s rising regional stardom. Assuming the worst, Nora harbored resentment that erupted as she rejected his offer. In a twist that wasn’t primarily intended as retaliation but served that purpose surprisingly well, Gustav meets Rachel Kemp, a renowned American actress (played by Elle Fanning), at a film festival showcasing his work, and convinces her to take the lead role instead.

As a passionate advocate for Lars von Trier’s latest masterpiece, “Sentimental Value,” I can confidently say that this film is more than just a family drama; it delves deep into the heart of what makes us a family. Co-written by Eskil Vogt, this cinematic gem showcases Trier’s unique ability to blend art, history, and emotional vulnerability in a way that feels fresh and captivating.

Trier’s directing style is characterized by a dynamic approach to time, often leaping forward or sideways in quickstep montages, much like the French New Wave but with his own unique twist. The narrative is guided by a voiceover that can be witty one moment and insightful the next, providing snippets of information that illuminate the main storyline like windows opening onto different scenes.

“The Worst Person in the World,” another Trier production featuring Renate Reinsve, offers a glimpse into this talented actress’s versatility. The film introduces her character with a rapid-fire sequence that reveals her initial calling isn’t medicine but psychology, only to later suggest, somewhat less convincingly, that she was destined for photography.

Trier’s 2006 film, “Reprise,” is a vibrant exploration of memory and digression as it follows the lives of two aspiring writers, both friends, as they navigate their journey towards literary success. Each of these works showcases Trier’s remarkable ability to craft compelling narratives that resonate deeply with audiences.

In “Sentimental Value,” these montages offer glimpses into the past, primarily within the house that has been owned by Nora and Agnes’ family for generations, where Gustav intends to film his movie. This old house, painted brown with red trim and bearing a crack running up the wall due to a foundation issue when it was constructed, serves as both the central gravitational force guiding the characters and a gateway into the past. It is marked by history; the height markers of generations of children on the doorway etched into its walls, and characters reenacting similar behaviors like listening in on conversations through an old stove. Gustav endeavors to connect with the past and present in his unique way by concluding his film with a scene that replicates his mother’s suicide when he was young, while also addressing Nora’s unhappiness, weaving art, memory, and the present into one space.

The performances are captivating and spine-tingling, with Lilleaas portraying a steady sisterly figure, while Fanning delivers a vulnerable act that expresses her mounting doubts about the role. Reinsve and Skarsgård stand out, especially Reinsve who expertly conveys emotions Nora barely acknowledges she’s feeling, using her exceptionally open, oval face as a canvas. Skarsgård skillfully switches between infuriating, charming, and pitiful portrayals of an aging artist grappling with regret but unwilling to give in. Their interactions, especially during tense dinner conversations where they quickly irritate each other, are like watching a masterfully coordinated dance. They reveal hidden habits, sensitivities, and instincts towards defensiveness, self-pity, and a desire to aid one another. We may not have control over the pieces of ourselves we pass down to our offspring or take from our parents, but they shape who we become, whether we recognize those connections or not. In Sentimental Value, the past intertwines delicately with the present, remaining ever-present even when the characters can’t always sense it.

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2025-05-23 02:54