Movie Review: Nymphomaniac Volume II (2013)

Nymphomaniac Volume II has the same cast as the previous film and is technically the same movie all apart of the same film experience. That's what I call this movie, it's not really just something you sit down and watch, it's really something you experience and whether you like it or not, anybody who sees Nymphomaniac cannot deny that Lars Von Treir is a great visual storyteller and film director. Unfortunately, this movie doesn't quite meet the success of the first volume. Let's start with praise though. The acting in this movie is the same great, exemplifying performances we saw in the first film. It's so rich and powerful that even if you don't like this movie, you will find the acting very rewarding. The problem with this movie stems from the fact that it's too long, the tone is bizzare, and there are some really controversial statemtents that director Lars Von Trier makes in this film. To start off, this film felt long. And I really mean that. This a movie that I actually had to pause to take breaks in between. It's so slow and long and there are elements of the story that don't feel like a necessity. For example, there's an entire sequence that's devoted to brutal sexual torture. It goes on for the longest time. It's excruciating to watch and it doesn't really do anything for the picture. One could argue it illustrates a lack of romance, but the first movie already did that without having such graphic and disturbing content. Now that brings me to the next thing, which is that I didn't care for the tone of this film. It's too dark and so uneasy that it isn't even really enjoyable to watch. I saw Nymphomaniac yesterday and it will not leave my brain. It's like if you see a really disturbing PSA, but it's so bad that you cannot get it out of your head. That's what Volume II of this film did. The film makes a very strange impression on you that doesn't sit well with the viewer after you see the movie. As far as controversy goes, this film is extremely bold when it comes to stating and making statements about the real world. In one scene, sexual abuse is highlighted as a positive thing. The director shows sympathy for people who are sex abusers which to me doesn't feel right. Movies that make you question your beliefs are one thing, but films that make a thing like abuse look golden is where I tend to draw the line. The film also seems to state that being a man is easier in this world than being a woman. That is a debatable topic (I don't agree with it) but it's a universal issue that is a little easier to discuss and debate and converse about than the former (which is just really strange) Overall, Nymphomaniac Volume II was a good movie, but it's so out there and so dark and strange that the film itself becomes sort of a mixed bag of good and so-so artistic expression. Two stars.