One of the leading candidates for multiple Academy Award nominations, the Norwegian film, Sentimental Value popped up on Fandango at Home this past week. I rented the film and watched it this Christmas afternoon.

Directed by Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value is a serious drama that starred Stellan Skarsgård, Renate Reinsve, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, and Elle Fanning.

According to the plot synopsis on Fandango, “Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård), an estranged father and once-celebrated director eager to reclaim his former glory, reconnects with his daughters Nora (Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas). When Gustav offers Nora the lead role in his new film, she refuses and learns he has given the part to a Hollywood star (Elle Fanning).”

The movie is very slow and I had some difficulty in the first hour or so of staying engaged with the film. I had to keep reading the subtitles for much of the film, but I did have some challenge. The performances were solid in the beginning of the movie, but the slow burn was tough to watch.

However, as the story picked up between Gustav and his two daughters, my own engagement picked up as well. No doubt that Skarsgård and Reinsve were special in the film. Elle Fanning gave a very powerful performance as well. As we discovered more about the dysfunctional relationship between them, the more it came off the screen.

The ending was very strong and made me happy that I had continued to watch the film, when I did consider stopping it around the first half hour or so.

3.5 stars