Nymphomaniac 1 & 2 [Blu-ray]

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.

Very raunchy. Girlfriend wanted to own this so I bought it for her. We watched together in a group of just the girls. What a night! Not for the timid. Personally not my kind of movie as I prefer a rom com. But hey, everyone is entitled to have their favorite so I am posting her rating on it.

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!! 💯😉❤️

Never one to shy away from controversy, director Lars von Trier strides boldly into territory where much of his audience is likely to feel more than a little squeamish. Nymphomaniac Vol 1 & Vol 2 is an unflinching look at the darker side of sexuality, the side that is usually the preserve of filmmakers with a much narrower artistic vision, whose work is usually available from specialty shops and very late night television. The most obvious talking point for this project will, of course, be the unflinchingly graphic sex scenes, and, in slightly more elevated conversations, the fact that the narrative is a woman's account of her sexuality - albeit one envisioned by a male director. The sexual vignettes which make up a significant portion of the film are introduced by conversations between the films two central figures, Joe and Seligman, played by Charlotte Gainsbourg and Stellan Skarsgård respectively, both of whom are as brilliant as long-time fans would naturally expect them to be. The question always posed by films with explicit sexual content is whether artistic expression justifies its inclusion. Lars von Trier makes a bold and convincing case that sex, like anything else in human experience, is worth looking at directly and is as much a vehicle for legitimate artistic expression in film as anything else. Testifying in support of the director's case is a cast that includes such notables as Uma Thurman, Udo Kier, Willem Dafoe, Shia LeBeouf, Christian Slater, as well as the delightful Stacy Martin. The evidence of such a fine and reputable cast (some of whom you will see pictured on the box) should be enough to bring down a ruling that this is a film project at least worth watching and judging for oneself. Regrettably, perhaps, this self-described censored release is a product of the Machiavellian marketing strategies that we have come to know if not love. No doubt it will at some point be followed by another version billed as complete and uncut, then possibly by another version promising the same thing. Nevertheless, this is a very stirring and provocative film that should give audiences plenty to mull over until it is made obsolete by a newer and more complete cut.

Fast shipping and delivery, good movie not top notch but not a bad movie.

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

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.