Sentimental Value

What makes this film work for me (even knowing it’s an extremely obvious takeaway) is the way in which Nora's feelings constantly blend with her performances, as well as, progressively, with her father's script. For Gustav —a self-centered director unable to communicate outside of his art— this script is the last, desperate attempt to reconnect with his daughter. And he does so by drawing a grief-ridden parallel serving as a bridge between their traumas that climaxes in an extremely moving reenactment of his mother's suicide, which at the same time brings the process of reconciliation and understanding to a precious, heartwarming culmination. I highly enjoyed Renate's performance. I think she captured Nora's vulnerability in a way that feels extremely close and beautifully human every time she was on screen. A profoundly touching exploration of sorrow, forgiveness and understanding, wonderfully woven together not only by the performances but also by a brilliant soundtrack.