Sentimental Value

Sometimes a movie just hits close to home. Sentimental Value is a quiet and layered portrait of the difficulty of loving someone who does not receive or show love in the same way. More accurately, Trier’s film navigates expression, how art can help with handling personal emotions, and the ways it can break language barriers and gaps of communication. It deals with the foundations of relationships, if it’s possible to thrive in cracked conditions. It asks if people are able to break out of the roles others have cast them to play inside their heads. It explores much more than a few sentences can reduce it to and I absolutely adore this film. I watch movies because of films like this. The cast play their parts to perfection. The subtlety in Renate Reinsve’s performance heightens everything to another level, it reminds me of Paul Mescal in Aftersun, everything hinges on what she brings to the table. The framing and blocking all service the story in a very thoughtful way. All of the metaphors build on one another so beautifully and don’t just hit you over the head. It packs an emotional gut punch, but it brings such a tenderness that’s easy to wrap your arms around.