Nymphomaniac Volume I (2014)
3.5/5
This is a visceral character piece focusing on one woman's sexual history and sexuality. The story is intriguing and the performances superb. The scenes are quite graphic, but not gratuitous as they demonstrate key plot points or character developments. Part 1 of Nymphomaniac is a story that leads down a rabbit hole, it explore sexuality in a gritty way. The first film asks more questions than it answers. I found the music discordant and jarring at times.
Nymphomaniac Volume II (2014)
2.5/5
I feel like the second part is more fragmented and not cohesive despite it tying together many story lines. I found myself disengaged and bored at times. It began to feel very unbelievable with the repetition of characters. This part is much more psychologically violent and gritty. The violence depicted is necessary and doesn't glorify it at least in my opinion. This part is more difficult to relate to certainly although her character is quite dissociating and hard to empathise with. Found this part rather disappointing although it does raise some significant issues around sexism, gender biases and sexual violence and fetishes. Overall these two films are an epic watch well worth watching.
