****
This Sunday night, March 15, the 98th Academy Awards will take place with many observers anticipating an historic first: an Irish Best Actress winner to be announced towards the ceremony’s conclusion.
While nothing is certain until the name is called out, with Jessie Buckley, it seems nailed on, given her predominance in precursor awards.
Winning at BAFTA, Screen Actors Guild and the Golden Globes indicates vast appreciation for her heartrending performance in Hamnet. Despite the film’s mixed response, her contribution is clearly undeniable. I cannot foresee any surprises here.
One category that might go under viewers’ radar is ‘International Feature’. Usually, the best and most thought-provoking films of any year are found in this category. Reserved for films outside the US, past winners include Another Round (2020 ), Drive My Car (2021 ) and The Zone of Interest (2023 ).
A major contender this year is Sentimental Value, from Norwegian director Joachim Trier. Trier was also nominated in 2021 for The Worst Person in the World, a fantastically playful approach to a romantic comedy/drama that was one of my favourite films of this decade.
Sentimental Value centres on a veteran film director portrayed by Stellan Skarsgaard and the distant relationships he has with his daughters.
Just like his previous film, there is great visual invention to Trier’s storytelling, and how he evokes certain feelings in the viewer. The opening montage, taking the perspective of a house as if it was a living, breathing creature is brilliantly creative, and will encourage many to consider memories of their own homes and childhoods.
This evocative depiction of memory is accompanied by a brutally honest rendering of familial relationships, and the internalised pain that can follow fractured bonds.
The performances and dialogue are nuanced, well-judged and devoid of melodrama. The film’s primary conflict is the tension between Skarsgaard’s intimidating filmmaker, Gustav, and daughter Nora (Renate Reinsve ), a theatre actress. Rather than directly confront what haunts them both, they choose alternative realities and distractions. Gustav, in the films he makes, and Nora, in her acting roles and romantic endeavours.
What I appreciated on second viewing is how seamless the behavioural similarities between both characters are conveyed. It is a testament to the director and cast that they capture these generational connections with such honesty and authenticity.
In Sentimental Value, character is decidedly more consequential than story, capturing complex emotions and behaviour with the rawness and subtlety recognisable in our own reality. The film is currently streaming on Mubi and is also the Galway Film Society’s final spring season screening on March 29/30, wisely leaving their best until last. If you can, definitely buy a ticket.
Nominated for six Oscars, it will face stern competition. Stellan Skarsgaard may be rewarded for his body of work with a ‘Supporting Actor’ award, but with Sean Penn’s recent wins for his eccentric One Battle After Another performance, that race will be tight. Both nominated for ‘Best Picture’, Sentimental Value and The Secret Agent are favourites to win the ‘International Feature’ award.
On the whole, this ceremony is one of the most unpredictable in years.
Sinners broke the nominations record with sixteen, followed closely by One Battle After Another with thirteen. ‘Best Picture’ will go the way of one of these juggernauts.
There is Irish interest in the ‘Animated Shorts’ where Retirement Plan, narrated by Domhnall Gleeson, will contest. One thing is nearly certain though: for the first time in history, there will be an Irish name on the ‘Lead Actress’ Oscar statuette.
4 / 5 Stars
Sentimental Value will be screened by the Galway Film Society on March 29/30, and is also now streaming on Mubi.
The Oscars will be shown live on RTE One at 00:00 this Sunday, March 15.
