Sentimental Value: A Deep Dive into the Flawed Genius of Gustav Borg
In Joachim Trier’s latest cinematic offering, Sentimental Value, we are invited to explore the chaotic life of an aging, egomaniacal director and the complex relationship he shares with his two daughters. This film is not just a tale of familial bonds; it is an intricate tapestry of sentimentality, heartfelt emotions, and a touch of dark comedy, reminiscent of the works of Fellini and Bergman.
The Tenuous Legacy of Gustav Borg
At the center of this narrative is Gustav Borg, portrayed compellingly by Stellan Skarsgård. Once a celebrated auteur, Gustav’s career is now spiraling downward. Having abandoned his wife, Sissel, a psychotherapist, and their two young daughters years ago, he returns to his childhood home, now occupied by his daughters, as they grapple with their mother’s recent passing.
Nora, played by Renate Reinsve, is a rising star in theater, currently performing in A Doll’s House, but grappling with anxiety attacks that lead to desperate measures seeking slaps from a married co-star with whom she is entangled. Meanwhile, her sister Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) is the grounded sibling, coping with the emotional scars of her brief childhood acting career in one of Gustav’s films.
A Bitter Reunion
As the sisters prepare to sell their childhood home, they discover that Gustav still retains legal rights to the property. He aims to transform it into the set for a biopic about his mother, a victim of Nazi torture. The twist? He expects Nora to play her own grandmother, leveraging her success to revive his stagnant career. The situation escalates as Hollywood superstar Rachel Kemp (played by Elle Fanning) swoops in, taking the lead role, igniting Nora’s jealousy and spotlighting her father’s emotional manipulations.
A Blend of Humor and Heartbreak
Trier’s film expertly juggles various tones, oscillating between biting humor and poignant moments. The thematic undercurrent of emotional vampirism within familial relationships adds a layer of complexity.
One standout scene encapsulates this blend; during Agnes’s son’s birthday, Gustav gifts the young boy a collection of shockingly inappropriate films, including Michael Haneke’s The Piano Teacher and Gaspar Noé’s Irreversible. The irony hits hard when we realize the boy doesn’t even possess a DVD player—a metaphor for how the passage of time can strip even the most shocking stories of their impact.
Reflections on the Cinematic Landscape
Trier does not shy away from showcasing the challenges of the film industry in an ever-changing landscape. Gustav’s insistence on working with a once-great cinematographer only leads him to face the harsh truth of his friend’s decline.
As the narrative reaches its conclusion, there’s a sense of tentative reconciliation, where Gustav’s genuine talent is acknowledged, albeit alongside his many flaws. The film ultimately becomes a poignant love letter to the emotional complexities of family bonds.
Conclusion
Sentimental Value is not just a review of an egomaniacal director’s journey toward self-discovery; it embodies the very essence of family dynamics—messy, chaotic, and deeply sentimental. With its rich character development and Trier’s signature blend of humor and sadness, this film is a relatable exploration of father-daughter relationships and the bittersweet nature of nostalgia.
The film screened at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, and this engagement speaks volumes about its artistic merit. As audiences, we are left contemplating the value of sentimentality, both in cinema and in our own lives.
With Sentimental Value, Trier not only revisits his own cinematic roots but also honors the intricate tapestry of familial love and disappointment, revealing that there is always value in the emotional journeys we undertake together.
For more about films that celebrate the complexities of family and human relationships, explore The Guardian’s film section.
