Joachim Tier’s Sentimental Value (Norwegian: Affeksjonsverdi) is a family comedy-drama set in a pre-World War II home in Oslo. The story centres on adult sisters Nora (Renate Reinsive) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lileaas), and their absent father, Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård), who makes a return following their mother’s death.
A 70-year-old filmmaker long past his prime, Gustav takes a last stab at greatness (and reconciliation) with a film that fictionalizes a troubling incident in the family’s past. He initially offers the lead role to Nora, a gifted actress with terrible stage fright, but enlists American starlet Rachel Kemp (Elle Fanning) when his daughter refuses.
Skarsgård is delightful as the charming but self-absorbed Gustav, while Reinsve’s Nora is fiercely independent. Her layered performance runs the gamut from quiet desperation to explosive anger. Lilleaas’ subdued Agnes is the peacemaker who quietly connects the dots while trying to mend fences, and Fanning imbues Rachel with warmth and self-awareness. Although the character is out of her depth as she strives to follow Gustav’s direction, she never comes off as a stereotypical Hollywood blonde.
The film feels brisk, despite its 135-minute run time, propelled by the tight script co-written by Trier and long-time creative partner Eskil Vogt. It effortlessly modulates from comedy to drama, grief to triumph.
The family’s past is cleverly conveyed through flashbacks that are, in fact, scenes from Gustav’s past films. A particularly intense moment of Nora’s is revealed to be a rehearsal for an upcoming play.
Tightly edited by Olivier Bugge Coutté and beautifully shot by Kasper Tuxen (including a breathtaking long shot near the film’s conclusion), Sentimental Value feels airy despite its many close interiors, light despite its weighty subject matter, and hushed despite its talky screenplay. It is a film of contrasts that entertains and engrosses with its many layers.
After its Canadian premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, Sentimental Value opens in select theatres on Nov. 7, with a wider release expected later in the month.
This article appeared in the 2025 Oct/Nov issue.