Can you ever truly be the perfect parent? Dive into 'Sentimental Value,' the rawest, most heartfelt film of the year, and discover why one scene might change everything you think about family and creativity.
Picture this: In Joachim Trier's powerful family drama, Sentimental Value—which is buzzing as a top Oscar contender (check out the full review here: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/sentimental-value-review-uk-release-date-b2884880.html)—there's a moment where an older filmmaker, portrayed by the legendary Stellan Skarsgård, drops a line to his distant daughters: 'You can't write Ulysses while shuttling kids to soccer practice.' On the surface, it seems like a casual remark about life's juggling act, but dig deeper, and it's really a justification for his long absences during their upbringing. And guess what? Neither daughter is convinced. But here's where it gets controversial... Is art really an excuse for missing out on family milestones, or is it just a cop-out?
Interestingly, the actor behind Gustav fully backs the quote. 'It's spot on,' Skarsgård shares during a quick layover in London before heading back to Sweden for the holidays. The 74-year-old icon from hits like Mamma Mia!, Chernobyl, and Dune admits he wasn't the type to cheer from the sidelines at his children's sports games. 'It would bore me to tears,' he declares with a dramatic sigh. 'I'd probably keel over from boredom!'
This tension between pursuing a creative passion and nurturing family ties is at the core of Sentimental Value. Skarsgård's character, Gustav, tries to mend bridges with his adult daughters, Nora (played by Renate Reinsve) and Agnes (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas). Nora, a thriving theater actress, is stunned when her dad pitches her the lead in a movie he's crafted just for her. She declines, so he goes with a rising American starlet, Elle Fanning, who unknowingly gets tangled in this family's deep-seated fractures.
The movie wowed audiences at its Cannes premiere this summer with a whopping 19-minute standing ovation (more on Cannes highlights here: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/features/cannes-film-festival-best-movies-palme-dor-b2758286.html), earning nine Golden Globe nods (see the full list here: https://www.independent.co.uk/bulletin/culture/golden-globes-2026-nominations-film-tv-b2880176.html) and positioning itself as a major player for next year's Academy Awards. Over several weeks, I chatted with Trier and the ensemble—some face-to-face, others via Zoom from Norway. Lilleaas called from her car in Oslo, while Reinsve's young son popped in to flaunt a drawing right in the middle of our talk.
'Sorry about that,' Reinsve apologizes, beaming at the artwork before ruffling his hair and letting him scamper off. She's best known for her breakout role as the introspective 30-something in Trier's acclaimed The Worst Person in the World (review here: https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/worst-person-in-the-world-review-b2042160.html), released three years ago, which catapulted her into the spotlight. She snagged the Best Actress prize at Cannes and even a Bafta nomination, introducing global audiences to her magnetic screen presence.
'Joachim deeply understands the sacrifices he's demanding from others when it comes to family commitments, since he's grappling with the same challenges himself,' Lilleaas observes.
Trier has gotten rave reviews from A-list celebrities who rave about Reinsve's talent. In fact, she's a big reason Skarsgård joined the project. 'She's extraordinary, like a window into the soul,' he describes. 'Every emotion shines through; she can even blush on command.'
Reuniting felt organic for Reinsve and Trier. He tailored Nora's role specifically for her, and she embodies the character seamlessly—capturing Nora's anguish, wit, and sharp edges as if they were made for her.
Lilleaas could be on the cusp of a similar breakthrough; her nuanced, authentic portrayal of Agnes, the younger sister, is one of the film's most poignant elements. Unlike Nora, whose life is overshadowed by their father's neglect, Agnes finds fulfillment as a historian with her own family. Yet Gustav's reappearance pulls her back into the role of family peacemaker. Though Trier didn't originally envision Agnes for her, Lilleaas infused the part with unexpected depth.
'We were searching for someone bubbly and emotionally guarded, always smoothing things over, but Inga brought this grounded honesty that was far more compelling,' Trier explains. This aligns with Lilleaas's earlier comments: 'A role blends your real self with the character—it's not about exact matches, but staying true.'
Lilleaas was initially taken aback when her audition kicked off with a lengthy chat about her personal history. Similarly, Fanning shared stories from her life that Trier wove into her character; as Rachel lands in Oslo for Gustav's film shoot, she's disoriented and yearning for deeper purpose, hoping this project will fill the void. Having acted since age two, Fanning relates: 'The entertainment world has its ups and downs, and I've definitely tasted that sense of disappointment. You can't help but crave more sometimes.' As for why Trier chose Reinsve for Nora, she chuckles and admits she's clueless.
Now, for Gustav's role—an absent dad and self-absorbed artist—some might bristle at the idea it reflects real men. But Skarsgård takes it in stride. 'It's not a jab; I rarely play versions of myself,' he says. 'They can't truly know my vibe. I didn't see Gustav as mirroring me, though my son spotted parallels after watching. He asked, 'Do you see yourself in this?' I laughed it off, but kids always find something to nitpick. Honestly, no one can be a flawless parent—it's impossible because we're all human, and so are they. You've just got to accept that.'
Skarsgård, unlike his character, enjoys solid bonds with his eight children, seven of whom have entered the acting profession. Still, he now recognizes some similarities. 'I wasn't fully present during their early years,' he confesses, adding quickly, 'But with eight kids, it's a Herculean task!' He continues: 'I've been lenient with them, letting them chase their dreams, and they extend the same courtesy to me.'
This family-first mentality shapes Trier's directing style. 'He's incredibly focused on family,' Lilleaas notes. 'We wrap on time so everyone can head home. He knows the toll it takes, as he's dealing with it himself.' It's influenced by his own children—the shooting location for Sentimental Value was near his home, allowing him to tuck them in at night—and his background as the son of filmmakers. As a third-generation director, 'I get it firsthand,' he shares with a laugh.
Though the interviews were separate, every actor emphasized Trier's knack for building trust through extensive rehearsals. 'It's not about memorizing lines or plotting the story; it's about creating a safe space for risk-taking, like a group trust exercise where I catch them if they stumble,' Trier explains.
That foundation of trust is crucial for his work with Reinsve. 'I feel utterly secure, so I can experiment, even flop spectacularly, because that vulnerability is liberating yet terrifying,' she says. 'I'd never risk it with anyone else.' Fanning agrees: 'He's right there in the scene, not glued to a monitor, truly observing and supporting what you're trying to achieve.' This is why Trier insists on final cut rights—it's not about clashing with studios, but honoring the actors' faith in him.
Rehearsals aren't about nailing perfection. 'Joachim comes prepared, but not rigidly so,' Skarsgård says. 'He doesn't dictate moves; we explore together, feeling at ease to improvise.' He draws a comparison to Lars von Trier, the Danish director he's collaborated with multiple times. On his first von Trier set, Breaking the Waves in 1996, a sign read 'Make Mistakes.' No such sign for Sentimental Value, but the spirit was identical.
Trusting enough to embrace errors is Trier's path to authenticity. 'You can tap into genuine emotions without forcing them, and that openness is frightening,' Reinsve adds. 'But feeling truly seen makes you courageous.' Skarsgård echoes this: 'Your experience equips you with techniques, but relying on them leads to polished but lifeless work. Real life is unpredictable and messy.'
Trier often advises actors to 'return to zero'—shed preconceptions and let spontaneity emerge. 'Forget habits; dare to see what arises naturally,' he says. He's not after technical prowess; it's about capturing raw moments, like the unscripted scene where Agnes visits Nora to push her toward reading their father's script. In the aftermath, Nora questions how Agnes escaped their troubled childhood relatively unscathed. 'I had you,' Agnes responds, tears flowing as she crawls into bed for a hug and whispers, 'I love you.' That wasn't planned, but it felt real.
And this is the part most people miss... All four performers snagged Golden Globe nominations, with Oscars possibly looming. For Skarsgård, a veteran with numerous milestones, this could be his first. 'I've thrived without them,' he jokes. 'But it's thrilling for the movie—and for theaters.' He's alluding to Netflix, which gets a gentle ribbing in the film when Gustav hawks his script to the streamer. 'Netflix dominates now, pushing for just a week in cinemas,' Skarsgård warns. 'It's like declaring war on traditional movie houses. Terrifying!' He hopes Oscar buzz might fend them off—and if he competes against his son Alexander for his project Pillion, a BDSM-themed film? 'No holds barred.'
Promotion is in full swing. At Cannes, Fanning debuted a T-shirt proclaiming 'Joachim Trier Summer,' riffing on viral 'Brat Summer' memes. What does a Trier season entail? He chuckles: 'One article described it as arriving at a gathering feeling isolated, or waking up with a touch of melancholy, or standing alone by the ocean.' Perhaps it's all that and more. Summer might have ended, but as Fanning quips, 'Sounds like a Joachim Trier autumn, winter, and spring too.'
Sentimental Value is now playing in cinemas.
What do you think—does chasing artistic dreams excuse absent parenting, or is it an outdated excuse? Have you balanced career and family in your life? Share your take in the comments; I'd love to hear differing views!
