Review of Nymphomaniac: Vol. I (2013) by Foxgrove — 21 Mar 2014

Like most of Von Trier's films 'Nymphomaniac' pulls you in and you become mesmerised, although I think it is fair to say that this is not anywhere near hs best work. An initial problem is with the context in which the girl's story is told. A huge suspension of disbelief has to be overcome to credit that two strangers, meeting as they do here, would spend so much time together discussing the girl's whole life as a nymphomaniac. This earl obstacle prevents one from really settling in and enjoying the film. Resistance is also exacerbated by a screenplay which constantly over uses metaphors to make points, some of which are laughably ridiculous. The story is broken down in to chapters of which 'Delirium' is easily the worst. This episode shot in black and white had me contemplating why I was actually watching all this mumbo jumbo. However, most of the time despite these flaws, the film is provocatively compelling.

Performances are generally good across the board for the most part. Charlotte Gainsbourg is the story teller here (she doesn't come in to her own until volume 2) and centre stage is handed to a cold and detached Stacy Martin who acquits herself well, as do Uma Thurman and Shia Lebouf. I see this as the starter. The main course IS tastier.