Sentimental Value Parent Guide

The death of their mother brings sisters Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) back in touch with their estranged father, Gustav (Stellan Skarsgard). Nora has been pursuing a career as a stage actress, but Gustav, a famous film director, wants to cast her as the lead in his newest project, claiming he wrote it for her. Since he’s never bothered to watch one of her performances, Nora rejects him without even reading the script. Gustav, unwilling to give up on what is likely his final project, settles for American actress Rachel Kemp (Elle Fanning) – but while she understands the script, she realizes that she might not be the right fit.

The movie focuses on the strained relationships in the family, gradually exploring the roots and consequences of years of resentment. Generations of this family have lived in the same house, and it seems that everyone who’s lived there has left some trauma behind for the future occupants to pick up. It isn’t exactly a cheerful movie, but it’s thoughtful, well-written, and emotionally impactful.

Sentimental Value is labeled as a comedy drama, but don’t go in expecting too many laughs. It has a few light-hearted moments, but it certainly isn’t a funny movie. This is a slower, more considered character drama. There’s a charmingly book-ish quality to the film that I can’t quite pin down, but which I certainly enjoyed.

Unsurprisingly, this isn’t going to be a good choice for younger audiences, having nearly as much to do with the content as the context – kids just aren’t going to sit through two-and-a-quarter hours of quiet family dysfunction. There’s some profanity, drinking, and sexual references, but the larger concern is going to be the film’s frequent discussions of suicide. There are also some references to torture, just to make things darker.

With impactful, emotional performances from the whole cast, it’s hard not to get caught up in the ins and outs of their personal lives. Everyone has secrets, compulsions, and regrets, and the movie does an engaging job of exploring them. It can get a little slow here and there, but if you have some patience, it’s very rewarding.

About author

Keith Hawkes

Keith Hawkes graduated from Mount Royal University, Calgary, Canada with a degree in English and History. His interests are movies, American literature, science fiction, almost every kind of music, and museums. He enjoys criticizing films for fun - although he's okay with being paid for it.