Nymphomaniac: Volume I Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		4.5

Nymphomaniac: Volume I Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Dr. Svet Atanasov May 17, 2015

Lars von Trier's "Nymphomaniac Vol. I: Director's Cut" (2013) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Artificial Eye. The supplemental features on the disc include new video interviews with Charlotte Gainsbourg, Shia LaBeouf, Stacy Martin, and Stellan Skarsgard, as well as original trailers for the film. In English, without optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".

Joe

Note: Lars von Trier's Nymphomaniac: Vol. I: Director's Cut is approximately 148 minutes long. (The theatrical version of Vol. I is 117 minutes long). In addition to longer explicit footage, the Director's Cut introduces extended and entirely new footage with the principal characters that was cut during the editing of what would eventually become the theatrical version of Vol. I. (You can see our reviews of the theatrical versions of Vol. I and Vol. II here).

The great Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard is Seligman, a middle-aged man who accidentally discovers a woman (Charlotte Gainsbourg, Antichrist, Melancholia) who appears to have had a serious accident. He offers to call an ambulance that would take her to a nearby hospital, but she refuses. Seligman then takes the woman to his place, where he offers her a cup of hot tea.

The two strangers begin talking. There are multiple bruises on Joe’s face suggesting that it isn’t easy for her to move her lips, but she does her best to answer Seligman’s questions. Over the course of the night, she tells him about her life and a serious condition that has collapsed it.

Controversial Danish helmer Lars von Trier’s latest film, Nymphomaniac, is broken into multiple episodes, each focusing on an important event from the life of its main protagonist. These events are introduced as uneven flashbacks, some of which are framed and shot in unique ways.

The first episodes are lighthearted and frequently surprisingly witty. In one of these episodes a young Joe and her best friend are seen entertaining each other while experimenting with their bodies. In another they are older, very comfortable with their bodies and eager to discover exactly how well they can manipulate men with suppressed sexual desires. There is plenty of humor in their ‘competitions’, but also some astonishingly accurate observations about men (of all ages) and their inability to distinguish lust from love.

The film gradually becomes darker after Joe explains how she has become addicted to sex, though splashes of playful humor routinely pop up. There is a fascinating element to this addiction. Joe clearly enjoys the physical contact, and specifically the sensation of giving and receiving pleasure, but it is the freedom to choose her partners and the realization that she can easily redirect their lives that fuel her addiction.

The most explicit sequences are done with doubles, but they are shot in a way that makes the sexual acts look bland and notably cold. The focus of attention is solely on the manner in which Joe and her partners describe their intimate feelings and emotions before and after the sexual acts. Many of these confessions offer some serious food for thought and at least as far as this reviewer is concerned effectively question whether Joe actually has an addiction problem.

Different flashbacks also produce fascinating observations about religion, morality, and various popular social norms. It is important to clarify, however, that von Trier does not attempt to promote specific views; rather he directs the viewer’s attention to the areas of their ‘logic’ that have become vulnerable.

Stacy Martin, who plays the young Joe, is the heart and soul of Volume I. Her range of emotions is quite remarkable. Shia LaBeouf is very good as the self-absorbed businessman Jerome. Uma Thurman’s time in front of the camera is limited, but she leaves a lasting impression as the shocked and angered Mrs. H. The beautiful Danish actress Connie Nielsen also has a small cameo as Joe’s mother. Christian Slater is Joe’s progressive but seriously sick father.

Nymphomaniac: Volume I Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in an aspect ratio of 2.35:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, Lars von Trier's Nymphomaniac: Vol. I: Director's Cut arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British distributors Artificial Eye.

The basics are once again very solid -- detail, clarity and image depth are consistently impressive. The same minor fluctuations that were present on the theatrical version are also visible here, but this is hardly surprising as this is exactly the same footage. The new footage looks just as good -- during the transitions contrast, clarity, and detail remain pleasing. Also, colors remain solid and natural. There are no stability issues. This being said, I did notice some extremely light compression artifacts sneaking in during a few of the brightly lit sequences. They never become distracting, but the larger your screen is, the easier it will be to spot them. Nymphomaniac: Vol. I: Director's Cut is approximately 148 minutes long. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free Blu-ray player in order to access its content).

Nymphomaniac: Volume I Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles have not been provided for the main feature.

I viewed the film with the 5.1 track and could not hear any discrepancies to report in our review (the theatrical version also comes with 5.1 and 2.0 lossless tracks). The film does not have a prominent soundtrack and as a result dynamic intensity is rather limited. However, separation and balance are outstanding. There are no pops, audio dropouts, or digital distortions.

Nymphomaniac: Volume I Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interviews - in English, not subtitled.
  
  1. Charlotte Gainsbourg - the actress recalls her initial reactions to Lars von Trier's script, and discusses her character, the shooting of Nymphomaniac, the more risky sequences, etc. (13 min).
  
  2. Shia LaBeouf - the young actor recalls how he was approached by Lars von Trier and his initial reactions to his script, and discusses the character he plays in the film (Jerome), Lars von Trier's directing style and reputation, etc. (9 min).
  
  3. Stacy Martin - the actress discusses the character she plays (young Joe), some of the more controversial sequences in the film and how they were shot, the use of doubles, etc. (11 min).
  
  4. Stellan Skarsgard - the great Swedish actors discusses the unique balance between humor and drama in Nymphomaniac, its unique themes, the character he plays (Seligman), etc. (12 min).

• Trailers - four original trailers for Nymphomaniac. In English, not subtitled.
  
  1. Trailer One (2 min).
  2. Trailer Two (2 min).
  3. Trailer Three (2 min).
  4. Trailer Four (2 min).

Nymphomaniac: Volume I Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

If the great Spanish director Luis Bunuel was still alive and working today, in his films he would have probably visited many of the same places controversial Danish filmmaker Lars von Trier has in recent years. Bunuel's style would have been different, but there is no doubt in my mind that his films would have been just as bold and intelligent. The new Director's Cuts of Nymphomaniac Vol. I and Nymphomaniac Vol. II are quite possibly von Trier's most ambitious work to date. They won't be everyone's cup of tea, but viewers who like to test themselves with clever unorthodox films should not miss them. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.