Let Go: Netflix Film Review

The review of Let Go, the film available on Netflix from November 1, 2024, written and performed by the talented Josephine Bornebusch.

Image Credit: Netflix

Let Go (Släpp Taget), available on Netflix from November 1, 2024, is an intense and delicate Swedish family drama directed, written, and performed by the talented Josephine Bornebusch. This film explores the complexities of modern family life, addressing with realism and depth the challenges of coexistence, love, and parental responsibilities. An authentic and touching story that does not limit itself to representing only conflicts, but also the deep bonds that resist, despite many difficulties.

The story of Let Go revolves around Gustav (played by Pål Sverre Hagen), a couples therapist who, after spending the day helping other people manage their conflicts, returns home to find his family in chaos. His wife Stella (Josephine Bornebusch) and teenage daughter Anna (Sigrid Johnson) are in the middle of a heated argument, while their youngest son Manne (Olle Tikkakoski) refuses to eat because of his multiple food allergies. It is in this context of tension and misunderstanding that Gustav decides to announce to Stella his desire for a divorce. But, overwhelmed by exhaustion and the responsibility of managing every aspect of family life, Stella reacts without even finding the energy to get angry: she decides to postpone the discussion until the end of Anna's pole dancing competition, an important event for her daughter.

Let Go: a family drama and a road trip that successfully come together

The film then follows the family on a journey to Skåne, where Anna's race will be held. This geographical move becomes, for each of the characters, a symbolic journey through which they are called to confront their emotions, their repressed needs, and their feelings toward other family members. While Anna struggles to assert her identity in a period of transition between childhood and adulthood, Gustav and Stella face the scars of years of misunderstandings and routines that have eroded their union.

Image Credit: Netflix

An intimate and authentic drama about the dynamics of couples and families

The strength of Let Go lies in its writing and in Bornebusch's ability to make each character deeply human and credible. The screenplay is the real strength of the film, with realistic dialogues that capture the complexity of family relationships, made up of moments of tenderness and unresolved conflicts. Stella is played with extraordinary intensity by Bornebusch, who manages to convey the exhaustion of a mother who has sacrificed herself for years to maintain family stability. Her dedication and organizational skills are admirable, but at the same time, they keep her trapped in a role that exhausts her and prevents her from finding herself.

On the other hand, Gustav is a seemingly passive character, but who throughout the film demonstrates a remarkable development arc. At the beginning his desire for divorce may seem cold and rational, almost devoid of emotion, but as the film progresses, it becomes clear that he too is a wounded man who struggles to express his feelings and find an authentic connection with his family. The two protagonists effectively express the burden of long-term relationships, where the role of parents tends to erase that of the couple, to the point of making the partners themselves strangers to each other.

Anna and Manne, the children, are also well-constructed characters who enrich the narrative. Anna, in particular, embodies the difficulties of adolescence, a period in which she desperately tries to define her identity and find a balance between the need for independence and the desire to feel accepted. Manne, with her sensitivity and fragility, represents another aspect of childhood, that of emotional dependence on parents, which can sometimes be challenging for adults to manage.

Let Go: evaluation and conclusion

Let Go is an intimate film, which manages to touch deep emotional chords thanks to its realistic and detailed representation of family life. Despite the dramatic theme of divorce and relationship difficulties, the tone of the film remains delicate and sober. Bornebusch manages the direction with a unique sensitivity, alternating moments of tension with scenes of lightness, which makes the viewing engaging and never heavy.

In conclusion, Let Go is a perfect film for those who love family dramas and authentic stories, capable of exploring human fragility without falling into melodrama. The film invites us to reflect on the challenges and beauties of long-term relationships, showing how even in moments of crisis, family bonds can prove stronger than difficulties. With its incisive script and memorable performances, Let Go establishes itself as one of the best family dramas on Netflix, capable of moving and leaving its mark.