In praise of Stellan Skarsgård and his Oscar-worthy performance in ‘Sentimental Value’
At the recent Golden Globes ceremony, not only did Stellan Skarsgård find himself getting absolutely hammered, but he also walked away with an award in hand for his performance in Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value. Seems like it was a pretty successful night.
The actor has long appeared in some incredible films, yet it often feels like the Swedish star is somewhat of an underrated figure. Perhaps it’s in part to do with his lack of Hollywood artificiality and relative bluntness compared to some other stars – this isn’t an actor who’s going to serve you some shiny contrived message in an interview. What you see is what you get.
He doesn’t fit the mould of your typical Hollywood star, but it’s this very quality that benefits his position in the industry as a versatile actor, able to shapeshift across genres and become almost unrecognisable. He fully gives himself to each character he plays, and it’s his openness to everything that has carried him through, whether he is playing a calculated criminal or a troubled father.
Skarsgård has a good sense of humour about him, too, fully acknowledging his role as the patriarch of an unlikely acting clan, his sons – notably Alexander and Bill – finding plenty of success for themselves. Clearly, something runs in the Skarsgård blood; or rather, he raised his kids in an environment that emphasised the joys of cinema and performance, inspiring them to follow in their dad’s footsteps. Evidently, his love of boundary-pushing cinema rubbed off on them, too, as demonstrated by Alexander’s recent turn in the gay BDSM biker film Pillion.
It’s clear that a passion for the artistry to be found in life – from the most harrowing corners to the more lighthearted pockets of the human experience – makes up the core of Skårsgard’s being. He infuses everything he creates with a real sense of knowing, of wanting to get to the bottom of life’s greatest enigmas.
Discussing his ability to convey emotion through subtlety, the actor told The Film Stage, “You can show the complexity of a character in a second: just a little glimpse in the eye, a little hesitation somewhere in a gesture, something in the way you say a line. It’s something that brings out the compassion in the audience. You can do it very easily, very fast, and you don’t have to compromise with the role in other senses.”
Since the 1970s, Skårsgard has lent himself to everything from Lars von Trier collaborations like the shocking Nymphomaniac to the family-friendly musical Mamma Mia!, alongside parts in the Marvel franchise and television shows like Chernobyl and Andor, and now, at the age of 74, he might be within touching distance of an Oscar for Sentimental Value, which would surely feel like an award in celebration of a culmination of flawless performances over the years.
He’s not sure that it will happen, but it’s not too late for the actor to keep dreaming about landing himself the ultimate Hollywood achievement – he deserves it, after all. Talking to GQ, he said, “It’s flattering, but the chance is so slim. No Swedish male actor has ever won an Oscar. Of course, on one hand, you say, ‘There’s no possibility that you can compete in art, there is no way it’s fair.’ But the moment I would win, I would be very, very happy.”
His performance in Sentimental Value is a powerful one; his character Gustav Borg is an ageing arthouse filmmaker who left his family when his two daughters were still children, creating a strained relationship between them that has never fully healed. When their mother dies, and he comes back into their lives, this time with a script inspired by his daughter – cinema being the only language he can truly speak – Gustav tries to connect with Renate Reinsve’s Nora, with mixed results.
Skårsgard allows us to really get into the mind of this man who, on the surface, has committed various acts of poor parenting and general selfishness, but dig a little deeper, and we find someone who doesn’t know the best way to make amends for past wounds. He becomes this incredibly real and flawed figure who, despite his foibles, still allows us to become emotionally invested in his world.
His performance is subtle, sometimes he is lonelier than he cares to admit, too wrapped up in his own creative process, and other times he is humorous and well-meaning, with Skårsgard moving between these stages of being seamlessly, surely bringing his own experience as a father and a creative into his performance.
So, the question remains whether he will take home an Oscar for his performance, and there’s a strong chance, especially considering his Golden Globe win, and really, the Academy would be silly to snub him, simply because he brings such nuance to his role, propelling it with a lifeforce that is both vulnerable and frustrating. Especially after endless spectacular performances that haven’t gotten their proper dues, it’s about time Skårsgard is truly celebrated for the cinematic hero he really is.
