Nymphomaniac: Volume I and Volume II

Love it or hate it Lars Von Trier's epic masterworks on sexuality will illicit a reaction. Von Trier is quite adept at garnishing reactions from his art and I sense that he doesn't mind either way if this reaction is love or hate, just as long as there is a reaction. That being said this movie is not for the faint of heart, although the title itself implies what it documents without reservation thus the more prudish among us have been warned and if not, if sensitive eyes still look upon the explicit chronicles of a nymphomaniac, then impunity will not be given and complaints of its salaciousness from such peoples shall be null and void. Nymphomaniac is not an exploitation film. The sexual acts portrayed are filmed with clinical objectivity rather than utilizing the sensuality of eroticization. Nymphomaniac approaches its coital interplay with an anatomical eye that is often more jarring than stimulating. Von Trier uses pornographic actors as body doubles and editing technology to create a vivid reality to the sex, keeping it clear of becoming pornography but certainly remaining unabashedly authentic. I can imagine the intent display of sex as an animalistic bodily function is too remove the viewers own sexuality providing more insight into the ideas Trier introduces through the story of Charlotte Gainsbourg's character Joe. It also strips sex of any romanticized inclinations, dissecting it sternly without prejudice. The Nymphomaniac in question here, Joe, is found at the beginning of the film by Seligman played by Stellan Skarsgard in an alley beaten and abandoned. He rescues her to his apartment where he lives alone and over the course of the night she episodically relates her sordid past shown in a series flashbacks to specific periods of her life extending all the way back to her childhood. Each chapter is connected to some piece of knowledge Seligman brings up in his analytic response to the events of Joe's sexual addiction that has ultimately lead her to their meeting in the ally. Von Trier really gets to speak through these moments between Joe and Seligman and he fearlessly delivers some thought provoking exchanges and ideas that resonate far after the film is over. This is where Nymphomaniac really shines, in these enlightening pockets that encompass anything and everything along the way so that the film becomes bigger than just sexual identity. It isn't to say Von Trier is using the film to convince the audience to see things a certain way but, rather, exploring some heavy themes from an intellectually gifted perspective rich in historical, philosophical and scientific comprehension. Nymphomaniac is the third film in Von Trier's aptly titled "Depression" Trilogy preceded by Antichrist and Meloncholia and in my opinion his best, or should I say my favorite. Always daring, bold and creative Von Trier brings all of his talents and wisdom to Nymphomaniac, a dangerous film in its obstinate determination to challenge its audience with expansive ideas that extend forth from the films core like a tree or some living thing. An absolute Triumph of cinema that I would recommend only to souls with an understanding of Lar Von Trier's pervious films or fans of "dangerous cinema". This would not be the movie I would recommend to someone who has never seen his films before.

It’s volume 1 and 2 but volume 2 is a continuation of the first movie volume 1. Adult film that’s written and directed and filmed to eye opening levels that are hard to explain. The actors are absolutely brilliant in each roll played. I highly recommend this for any conscious adult. It’s just brilliant.👍👍

It does have porn but more so it's well written. Nice story to follow with.

The four hours in which the reels of Nymphomaniac I and II spin out Lars Von Trier's take on sexual appetites are a study in realism with just a touch of hypocrisy thrown in--which, in at least one way of viewing it, only adds to the realism. The tale involves three main characters played by four actors: eponymous Joe played by Charlotte Gainsbourg as an adult and by Stacy Martin as a juvenile, her lover/husband/tormentor played by Shia LeBoeuf, and the older bachelor Seligman who takes in a beaten Joe, nurses her and both listens to and comments on her story, played by Stellan Skarsgard. The supporting cast includes recognizable stars doing cameos here and there: Uma Thurman, Connie Nielsen, Christian Slater, Willem Dafoe, Jamie Bell and others. And there is a cadre of unnamed porn stars who do all the 'wet works'. And it is of course this latter group which brings the charge of hypocrisy to the fore, though exactly where that charge should be laid is open to debate. In one of the special features Stacy Martin reveals her discomfort with all the rampant sex being performed by the porn actors on the set and her difficulties of performing her role (staying in character) with all the care that must be taken to match her movements with those of the porn stars. One is reminded of the tongue in cheek scene from Brian De Palma's Body Double in which Dennis Franz directs his male lead (Craig Wasson) through the intricacies of clutching the right breast of the blonde in the shower just before she is replaced by her body double for the really sexy parts of the scene. Martin's comments about how she felt when a fake vagina was being glued on over her own, compared with Skarsgard's comments in the same feature about how silly it is for people to by shy about 'body parts' really focus one's thoughts on this issue. The question becomes, if this movie or pair of movies if you like, is designed as a challenge to those blue noses who wield the censor's brush why was it necessary to fake most of the skin and all of the sex? That issue aside Von Trier presents a great deal of poignant and thought-provoking moments in this piece, some of it 'in your face' and others parts more subtly offered. Uma Thurman's character, for example, whose husband has just announced he is leaving her and their three young boys for his lover politely asks the young Joe for permission to show the boys "the whoring bed". In another scene Skarsgard expresses disbelief that the elder Joe gave the confessed pedophile a blow job to ease the physical pain of his erection and Joe points out the man never acted on his impulses, then states that '95% of pedophiles never do anything about their urges so why should they have to suffer for the 5% who do?' Not so obvious are the scenes in which Joe's parents (Christian Slater and Connie Nielsen) are featured. Could it be the cold, interfering bitch of a mother and/or the warm, tender and encouraging father paired to lead Joe into this hunger? Or is it just coincidence? Von Trier doesn't spell it out here as he did elsewhere and even when he does spell it out there's a great deal of ambiguity around it. Joe's little speech to her sexual therapy group could be called a statement, I suppose, or it could also be read as a self-defense mechanism. And maybe the utterly unexpected and shocking end to the film could be called a statement. Of course this is all guesswork because Von Trier does not appear in any of the features, even the one labeled "The Director", which is, in itself, a statement of sorts, isn't it? And I need here to insert one final comment. I discussed my review with a friend who had also seen the movie and his remarks reminded me that not everyone is as 'worldly wise' as myself (at least in this respect) and that for them this movie can be viewed as a kind of voyeuristic look at a world they might not have believed actually existed. Of course given no one but porn stars were willing to 'show the skin', engage in the sexual acts presented, perhaps that world doesn't exist outside of the porn movie industry. Certainly gives one plenty of fodder for discussion and in that regard I have to admit it is well worth the candle. I won't say it's 'better' or 'worse' than The Sessions or Better Than Chocolate, or Naked Fear or Dangerous Beauty...it just belongs on the same shelf.

I didn't know what to expect. Yes, it's for mature audiences. Many young mature people would also appreciate this film. The diconemy of the two main characters bring two natural Polars as One in our humanness; two natural but often conflicted aspects of being alive and a healthy and happy human being. It is human society that is at the root of this conflict. The two characters were perfect for their part. Their dialogue is sometimes tense and combative. But usually courageous and insightful, even when brutally raw and honest. It's five plus hours go well beyond entertainment. I saw myself in both characters. I was the young woman in my early years. I am the older man in my later years. They compliment one's human growth and progression of a life lived well and fully lived Yes, a bit surprised a film can be released on this level of being both being very human and primal in the same body (I am speaking of myself, as the characters play the polar extremes to make the union of a healthy co-existence within society). I am an evolutiinalist who believes All is Sacred. I personally have no conflicts withi my sexual, spiritual and intellectual self. They all challenge and compliment my Inner world.

I love these films!! I've seen them a few times!! Very thoughtfully written and directed!!! How the story is told, I think makes this film as interesting as it is.. the way she digresses, as she's telling it and moves through her childhood, adolescence and adulthood but in all different orders.. It's one of those films where you have to watch and listen very intently to keep up with the story!! It's also very stimulating as she speaks of her sexual journey and what she's done and what she's liked. How matter of fact she is,.. Not only about herself but her experiences with sex and how she's been treated too!! It's a very engaging film, that you don't want to stop watching.. I loved them both.. Great to watch as a couple, but also great to watch alone!! I might add that it does have several triggers in it, so maybe check those out before purchasing/watching it - if you're worried. Other than that, the worrying is besieging and I can't think of any negatives just now, other than trivets of violence and sexual behaviour that need might not like. But it is true to the story and its about what makes her who she is!! Enjoy!! 💯😉❤️

Dissapointed that blue ray capacity had 1080p output .... thats a bummer. Plays in Australian playstation no problems at all .... reasonable price too thanks 😊

Extraordinaire réflexion sur la sexualité.

Cette série documentaire a su trouver la bonne distance entre les explications techniques données par des experts et vulgarisation à base d'images numériques impressionnantes. Le résultat est agréable à suivre et permet aux petits comme aux grands de réviser des notions connues tout en les complétant d'informations passionnantes et peu connues. Les thèmes abordés sont toujours présentés de façon attrayante et didactique à la fois.

Der Film zielt darauf auf, die Begierden einer Frau authentisch zu ergründen, symbolisch hängt unser aller Leben von Macht, Ohnmacht und Begierden zusammen. So gesehen denkt sich Film mit unserem kulturellen Männer/Frauen Verhältnis und Charlotte Gainsbourg reflektiert die Rolle der Frau mit einem spannenden und freien Dialog, zuviel würde man verraten, wenn man den Inhalt hier wiedergeben. Das Pornografische macht Sinn, da es nicht um Erregung geht, sondern menschliche Zusammenhänge und Abhängigkeiten! Künstlerisch einfach überzeugend! Hochaktuell!