NYMPH()MANIAC, VOL. I

A Review

Lars Von Trier, without a doubt modern cinema's most polarizing figure, finds himself at the very pinnacle of love-it-or-hate-it reception with his latest effort, Nymphomaniac Vol. 1. Featuring longtime muse Charlotte Gainsbourg in the lead role of Joe, LvT's magnum opus comes to vivid life on the screen with each pelvic thrust. Say what you will about Von Trier; you certainly can't claim that the man has no passion. His dedication shines in every shot, and whether you admire the director or abhor him, Nymphomaniac Vol. 1 is not to be missed. In short, this is a cinematic experience that is truly unlike any other you will ever have in your lifetime. Demonized from the beginning of its conception by arguably more conservative onlookers, the film went through several stages: first, merely as a joke made by Lars at the Cannes press conference for Melancholia, in which he told reporters he would like to make a "porn film" starring Charlotte and Kirsten (Dunst), then as a full-fledged screenplay, and ultimately as the five-and-a-half-hour uncut celluloid reality we see today.

Volume One, divided into five chapters (whereas Volume Two will feature a mere three), introduces us to the premise: an old bachelor, Seligman (played by the reliable Stellan Skarsgaard), while passing through his neighborhood alley one evening, comes across Joe, our heroine of the story - beaten, bloodied, and left for dead on the wet concrete. Ever the Good Samaritan, Seligman offers assistance to Joe and, unbeknownst to him at the time, receives her entire life story in return. Once situated in his bed with a cup of tea with milk, as she had requested, Joe begins the long, moral tale of her whole existence. The old bachelor, in return, listens intently, offering insightful analogies where necessary and eagerly sharing in the amusement.

As her story moves forward, we get to know Joe quite well - from her standoffish, cold mother to her loving (yet frustrated) father, and from her first time with Jerome (a mechanical, slightly awkward affair) to her legions of lustful lovers, Joe's entire being - her essence - is sexual. But this does not result in Volume One amounting to nothing but pornography, as some have claimed. There is so much going on in terms of the human emotional element, semi-philosophical musings on the nature of people in general, vague references to mathematics, music, culture, psychology, and yes, even flyfishing, that the end result turns into something indescribably special and unique, and the sexuality - as provocative as it may be in some scenes - takes a backseat to the characters. For those of you who have always enjoyed Von Trier's work, this will unquestionably become a classic in your collection. 

As always, Lars delivers the goods with lush cinematography and his trademark nihilistic style that jumps off the screen and suffocates you with startling determinism and even a touch of masochism. The strangest thing about all of this, of course, is that it's downright enjoyable. The presentation is so polished and the characters so unforgivably human, you can't help but sympathize, relate, and ultimately, bask in the bizarre fusion of it all.

Spectacular performances by all involved make Volume One a truly mouthwatering appetizer for Volume Two and, with the production having been "Kill Billed" (one movie split into two volumes), it poses far more questions than it answers. While the last third of Volume One does feel a bit dragged out and perhaps even slow, the visual teaser that accompanies the end credits provides us with a small yet beautiful glimpse into the even more twisted world of Nymph()maniac, Vol. II.

Although I try to assess each piece of media on here as a standalone production, to do so in this case would be in complete ignorance of the context in which it has been presented: as the first half of an epic life story. All in all, however, Volume One is mesmerizing, and a piece of art house movie magic that will never again be duplicated. "Forget about love," and run, don't walk, to your nearest pretentious artsy theater and purchase a ticket now. You won't be disappointed.

FINAL SCORE: 85/100