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Written by: Eskil Vogt & Joachim Trier
Directed by: Joachim Trier
Starring: Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Elle Fanning
Rated: R
Watch the trailer
Plot
In this Norwegian language film, once-celebrated director and estranged father Gustav wants to simultaneously reclaim his former glory and reconnect with his daughters Nora and Agnes.
Verdict
The core of the story is an absent father that wants to reconnect. Is it remorse for his neglect, a means to make his next movie, or an apology in a medium he finds accessible? He's always been career focused, and I don't see how he can make up for that. There's so much unsaid between Gustav and his daughter, and his latest movie can't make up for it. At the least it can communicate what he can't, that he does care. Even then, it's a gesture that comes late while benefiting his own career.
Watch It.
Review
Stage actress Nora (Renate Reinsve), as a child, wrote about her house and the generations of her family that lived in it. A foundational crack runs from the footing up through the rooms. The family never addressed the crack, they lived around it. If that seems like a potential metaphor for the dynamic with her father, you'd be correct. Now she's an accomplished actress that suffers from severe stage fright.
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| Stellan Skarsgård, Renate Reinsve play Gustav, Nora |
Nora and her sister Agnes's (Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas) father Gustav (Stellan Skarsgård) left when they were young to pursue his career. While he was successful, it came at the expense of his family. Now he's back as their mother has died. It's clear the relationship is strained and they resent his leaving. His return seems predicated on personal reasons.
Gustav meets with Nora, offering her a part in his next film. He claims only she can play the role, and she responds that he's never even seen her act. He rebuffs the statement, and she responds that he left at intermission. He makes excuses about not liking theater, and she refuses the part. This quick interaction is a look into their relationship or the lack thereof.
Gustav proceeds with the project, casting star American actress Rachel Kemp (Elle Fanning). He wants to film at the house, though he claims the project isn't about his mother despite several parallels. Rachel is concerned about being American and playing Norwegian. She meets with Nora, confessing her casting seems like a mistake. It's clear her star power is what got the project moving, but that also comes with demands from the studio. Rachel eventually tells Gustav the role doesn't feel right. She's filling in for his daughter and it's not what was intended, nor is changing the language to English.
The movie's title is referenced early on concerning the house. Despite the problems, it remains important to the family though we learn many tragedies have occurred there. There are also several good memories in the house. It's not unlike any relationship, but it's a broken house that represents Nora's relationship with her father.
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| Renate Reinsve, Stellan Skarsgård play Nora, Gustav |
Gustav talks about control. He made decisions for his career that affected his family, neglecting them. It's clear his daughters feel that. It's the same way he left Nora's plays early. It was always about what he wanted and benefited him. He still can't see past that. Gustav is pushing for his grand-son to be in his movie. He didn't discuss it with Agnes because he didn't care. It's another example of him getting what he wants and steam rolling anyone in the way.
These things in the movie go unsaid; the hurt his daughters feel but never brought to him. He never saw it or didn't want to. Agnes reads the script and tells Nora it's about her, not Gustav's mother. I suppose it's his way of processing or some kind of gesture. Did he ever voice those feelings to his daughter? The only moment we see from his movie is the final, pivotal scene. Nora did play the part, and after the scene cuts, Nora and Gustav share a moment. Even at the end, it's on his terms.
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