Part II of Lars von Trier’s Nymphomaniac. I loved Vol. I. Vol II is a bit more uneven, more conventional in many respects. I think a little Charlotte Gainsbourg (a very little) goes a long way, and Vol. II has more Gainsbourg than Vol. I. I’m not really a fan of her work. I like her better when she’s in a supporting role.
Anyway, the films are definitely experiences. People are hating them or loving them. Some have called the films misogynistic (a common criticism for Von Trier), and are baffled at why other critics aren’t seeing it that same way. (It’s so JARRING when you realize that not everyone agrees with you!) I think they’re a hoot. I’m sure that “says a lot about me”, but anything you write “says a lot about you.” Sex is both a personal topic, and a universal topic, and everyone has different triggers. That’s life. That’s being a grown-up. I can certainly understand why people would despise these films. But I don’t. I find them funny, often childish, often quite moving, and always intellectually bracing. Taken together, they are a big messy all-over-the-place academic thesis paper about the sex drive in human beings. I am a bit in love with them at present.
My review of “Nymphomaniac: Vol. II” is now up at Roger Ebert.
