The Thanksgiving film for the fractured family is not what you'd expect. Instead of a sentimental tale of reunion and forgiveness, it's a nuanced exploration of the complexities that come with love and loss. Joachim Trier's "Sentimental Value" opens on a frenzied note - Nora, a talented theater actor, struggles to cope with stage fright and anxiety about her upcoming performance.
But as the film progresses, we realize that this is not just about Nora's fears; it's also about the weight of family history and the difficulties of communication. Trier masterfully captures the intricate web of relationships within the Borg family, where Nora's father, Gustav, has a complicated past with his own daughter - her mother who died by suicide.
As Agnes tries to connect with Nora again after years apart, she begins to realize that her father knew more about Nora than he ever let on. The script for his new film becomes the key to unlocking their shared understanding, forcing Nora to confront the fact that her relationship with her father is uniquely complex and multifaceted.
The central question of the film - how can one truly communicate love and intimacy when words are insufficient? - is beautifully answered in a poignant final sequence. Here, Gustav and Nora find solace in art, their shared reverence for it becoming a conduit for their emotions.
Trier's handling of family dynamics is nothing short of remarkable, allowing the audience to grasp the nuances of this fractured unit without needing explicit dialogue or explanation. It's as if we're witnessing a private conversation between two people who've known each other all their lives.
Sentimental Value will undoubtedly strike a chord with American audiences this Thanksgiving season, precisely because it addresses the same deep-seated divisions and conflicts that many families are grappling with. Love and guilt, shame and fear - these emotions swirl together in a maelstrom of human experience that Trier masterfully captures on screen.
This film's impact lies not in feeling good but in making us feel understood more than anything else. It invites us to linger over the margins, brushing up against these complex emotions for just one more moment. Ask another question, hear another story - that's what this holiday season should be about: pouring another cup of coffee and sitting down with those closest to us to listen.
But as the film progresses, we realize that this is not just about Nora's fears; it's also about the weight of family history and the difficulties of communication. Trier masterfully captures the intricate web of relationships within the Borg family, where Nora's father, Gustav, has a complicated past with his own daughter - her mother who died by suicide.
As Agnes tries to connect with Nora again after years apart, she begins to realize that her father knew more about Nora than he ever let on. The script for his new film becomes the key to unlocking their shared understanding, forcing Nora to confront the fact that her relationship with her father is uniquely complex and multifaceted.
The central question of the film - how can one truly communicate love and intimacy when words are insufficient? - is beautifully answered in a poignant final sequence. Here, Gustav and Nora find solace in art, their shared reverence for it becoming a conduit for their emotions.
Trier's handling of family dynamics is nothing short of remarkable, allowing the audience to grasp the nuances of this fractured unit without needing explicit dialogue or explanation. It's as if we're witnessing a private conversation between two people who've known each other all their lives.
Sentimental Value will undoubtedly strike a chord with American audiences this Thanksgiving season, precisely because it addresses the same deep-seated divisions and conflicts that many families are grappling with. Love and guilt, shame and fear - these emotions swirl together in a maelstrom of human experience that Trier masterfully captures on screen.
This film's impact lies not in feeling good but in making us feel understood more than anything else. It invites us to linger over the margins, brushing up against these complex emotions for just one more moment. Ask another question, hear another story - that's what this holiday season should be about: pouring another cup of coffee and sitting down with those closest to us to listen.
. The way it explores the complexities of family relationships and communication, especially when it comes to love and loss, is just so nuanced and relatable 
. I mean, who hasn't struggled with stage fright or feeling like their words aren't enough? 
Trier does an amazing job of capturing those feelings without needing any big dramatics – it's all about the little moments that really speak volumes 
.
. It's not always easy to talk about our emotions or vulnerabilities, but sometimes that's exactly what we need – a reminder that it's okay to be human and imperfect 
.
. I think we can all relate to the struggles of communication in our own families, you know? It's not always easy to talk about the tough stuff or let go of past hurts. But at the same time, I love how this film doesn't shy away from the complexities and just sorta... feels them out 
. The performances are so natural, it's like we're eavesdropping on a private conversation between two people who've known each other forever 
. It made me think about all the times I've bottled up my own emotions or struggled to connect with loved ones... and maybe that's what this film is really saying - we don't have to have all the answers, just being present for each other matters 
.
... i mean, these families are struggling with some deep issues, but they're still holding on to each other - that takes a lot of courage & love 
...
. The way Joachim Trier weaves together the complexities of family relationships and the power of art to express emotions is just masterful. It's not always easy to watch, but in a good way - like when you're having a tough conversation with someone and it's hard to look away 
. I'm thinking this is going to be one of those movies that stays with you long after it's over... 
. It's not about forced sentimentality or feel-good clichés; it's about authenticity and vulnerability 
. I think this movie will resonate with people on a deeper level because it doesn't shy away from the tough stuff 
. Let's have some real conversations and connections around the dinner table instead of just pretending everything is okay 
.
It's all about nuance, right?
It's like Trier took all those emotions and distilled them down to this beautiful, poignant moment.
. I love how it's not just some sappy feel-good story, but a real exploration of human emotions 
. And that final sequence? Gives me all the feels 
. I think this film will really resonate with people, especially during the holiday season when we're all supposed to be pretending everything's okay 
.
. The film's not trying to give you a warm fuzzy feeling or anything, it's just honest and raw, which makes it so impactful 
.
it's not your typical feel good family drama, it's way more complex than that. the director does an amazing job of capturing those messy family dynamics without needing to spell everything out. i loved how the film made me feel seen and understood - it's like trier is saying "hey, we've all been there, let's sit down and talk about this stuff".