Sentimental Value: 9 Oscar Nominations & a Profoundly Personal Review

Sentimental Value, a film already celebrated in Europe with five European Film Awards for film, directing, screenplay, and acting performances by Stellan Skarsgård and Renate Reinsve, is now vying for recognition on Hollywood’s biggest stage. The film has received nine Academy Award nominations for the 98th Academy Awards, including bids for Best Picture, Best Director (Joachim Trier), Best International Feature Film, Best Actress (Reinsve), Best Supporting Actor (Skarsgård), two Best Supporting Actress nominations (Elle Fanning and Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas), Best Original Screenplay (Trier and Eskil Vogt), and Best Film Editing.

European Acclaim and Oscar Potential

The film’s success began at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Grand Prix. Despite initially receiving a three-and-a-half-star review from Cinematografo, one critic found the film resonated deeply, even if he initially described it as “a film medio fatto al massimo delle possibilità” – a film made to its fullest potential.

A Personal Connection

The film’s impact extended beyond professional assessment. The critic recounts revisiting the film after seeing it at Cannes, and then encountering it again while visiting Tangeri with his daughter, a director and programmer at the Tetouan festival in Morocco. This second viewing solidified his appreciation for the film’s emotional depth.

The Weight of Sentiment

The film explores complex themes of family, loss, and the human condition. The critic highlights a pivotal scene involving veteran director Gustav Borg (Skarsgård) revealing to actress Rachel Kemp (Fanning) that his mother died by suicide using an Ikea stool. This scene, while stark, encapsulates the film’s unflinching look at life’s difficulties.

Beyond Awards

Ultimately, the critic suggests that the film’s true value lies not in accolades, but in its ability to capture the ordinary, imperfect realities of life and death. He argues that Sentimental Value has already achieved a significant victory by connecting with audiences on a profound level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What awards has Sentimental Value already won?

The film has won five European Film Awards, recognizing the film itself, its direction, screenplay, and performances by Stellan Skarsgård and Renate Reinsve.

Where did the critic first see Sentimental Value?

The critic first saw the film at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Grand Prix.

What is a key scene that resonated with the critic?

The critic was particularly struck by the scene where Gustav Borg reveals to Rachel Kemp that his mother died by suicide using an Ikea stool.

Does a film’s lasting impact truly outweigh the significance of industry recognition?