About Sentimental Value

Post 1963:

It’s in the title. Sentimental Value is an interesting and emotional look at generational pain and finding reconciliation (or not) through certain little pieces of common ground.

The performances are really good. The two tall ladies who play sisters feel like real sisters, and even though they’re speaking Scandinavian, I’m pretty sure they were saying interesting things.

Kidding. Subtitles! About 25% is in English, and it’s relevant to the plot.

What we’ve got here is a well-told family drama that succeeds in feeling just enough like real life and not too maudlin. This is a tough line to walk, especially because it’s about a father and his daughters. There’s something terrible and unsettling when a dad and his daughter are estranged. It’s the ultimate protector role thrown out of whack, and as a viewer you naturally root for them.

It’s also an interesting look at the price of art. I’m not spoiling much to say that the father is a great film director who pretty much blew it and walked out on his kids. His ability to understand things the way normal people do is limited, and whether he’s completely at fault or not, he’s abandoned the most important thing in life.

The struggle to forgive is on full display. I liked watching it. Forgiveness is hard and worth it. We understand both these truths in a new way after watching the movie. Nicely done. Cheers and see after.