Sentimental Value
I think this film hits harder if you personally know by experience what these people, especially this family trio, went and go through.
Whether you're the one who didn't know how to connect or the one who suffered from it.
Maybe you are the Agnes in this story. The spared one. Who though at the beginning was made out to be the weak one by Nora for not disregarding their father.
Who needed to find some strength to raise her voice for once to tell him what had to be said.
Just as much as Nora had to find the strength to take the opportunity he gave her rather than go on as before.
Because even if you may side with her and aren't surprised by her initial rejection of the role (I wasn't) you realise that the turnaround is still the most logical and right way. In another world she wouldn't have starred in his film. It wouldn't have just been a missed opportunity of reconnection.
It would've been a work of regret.
One of my favorite moments is the table read of the big scene. Wherein Rachel does a great job of acting out the scene very emotionally. When she starts to cry it's an impressive feat in and of itself. But when you look at Gustav's face you get the confirmation how wrong the emotion is for the character of his film. She even talks about how weird it was that only she was acting with such big emotions while her scene partner was rather cold "in that swedish way".
It's not just that she is not right for the part because it was written with his daughter in mind but because what Nora brings that Rachel can't. That sentimentality. That deep sadness that she shares with her father. That he knows she carries even if he missed so much of her life. But how much he understands comes through in the script. Because it's about him and her. Partially through the lens of his childhood tragedy.
Agnes was spared by having her bigger sister helping her through the hardships.
Coming out healthier than her older sister.
Who seeks his approval so much more. Because you might want to disregard the person who didn't give you as much love and attention as you might have needed. But you can't heal through ignorance. You can't heal in silence. You can't heal alone.
Even if they can't make up the time lost they can make time in the present. They do it in their way. They can tell you, as Gustav does trough the film and after the last shot: I see you. I understand you. I love you.