Sentimental Value
One of the best films released this year. Sentimental value did very well in highlighting the family neglect, generational trauma, emotional restraints and the complicated relationship between art and life. It confronts head on without restraint the family dynamics in a manner i rarely see depicted in films anymore
Sometimes we are quick to judge a troublesome family and arrive at conclusions without knowing the underlying cause of why things are they way they are. Nothing is as black and white when it comes to familial relationships.
Gustav in this film really fascinates me and the one I’ve connected with. He’s deeply human and flawed. His emotional absence and inherited trauma is treated with utmost care and not someone who just left his family for the sake of it. He keeps to himself, not sharing his deep troubles with anyone and the only way he could outwardly express himself was through his art—his script became his emotional support and way to express it. I share some of his traits in that I am an expert when it comes to emotional withdrawal
And what a performance by Ranate Reinsve. I’ve come to know of her existence when she did The Worst Person In The World and was thoroughly impressed by her acting prowess. Her subtle subtexts are the most impressive and it’s why this film works as an intimate emotionally resonant film. Beautiful film
It’s crazy how Sentimental Value & Jay Kelly—my favorite films this year—share the same emotional territory and be thematically inclined. Would work perfect as a double feature I must say.