Sentimental Value
“I had this kind of... crisis. I was alone in the house again, lying in my bed, crying. I know everyone lies in bed crying, but... Someone said praying isn't really talking to God. It's acknowledging the despair. To throw yourself on the ground because that's all you can do. Not unlike lying with your heart broken, thinking... "Please, call me.", "Please, forgive me.", "Please, take me back." And…. I had fucked up. And I was alone, and crying. And then, for the first time, I sat down on the floor... and prayed. I don't know who I said it to, but, I said it out loud, "Help me, I can't do this anymore. I can't do it alone. I want a home. I want a home.’”
God this was such a beautiful film. It shows a great story of a father who wants to make up for not being in his children’s lives. And since he isn’t able to express his love for his children with his words, he does it through the one thing he can, film. The two sisters and how they react to his presence in the film and in their lives directly relate to how their lives ended up. Nora, who is more distant from him and against him ended up lonely. Whereas Agnes, who isn’t avoiding him or arguing with him, ended up with a family of her own. But this isn’t mainly caused by their reactions. Agnes is more open to her father’s presence because when she was growing up, she had Nora to comfort her. These characters and their journey really show the importance of family and being there for them. I loved the inclusion of Rachel Kemp to really emphasize how the film is made for one person and one person only, Nora.
Joachim Trier is such an incredible director. I don’t know if I liked this or Worst Person in the World more, but they are both amazing films in their own, special way. Renate Reinsve, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Stellan Skarsgard, and Elle Fanning are all incredible and give some of my favorite performances of 2025. Will be highly anticipating the next film from Trier.