First off, this is a review of both volumes 1 & 2, considered as one film.
Secondly, the framework of this film is the life of a woman obsessed with sex, so obviously there are many graphic scenes of sexual acts. Sex is central to the plot. Those criticizing it for gratuitous sexual content and calling it pornography are ridiculous, and most likely part of the hypocritical sexual fascism the director is attacking, so their objectivity is highly questionable.
Lars von Trier has set up this elaborate plot and spiced it with all sorts of sexual content: some of it shocking (the S & M sequence is difficult to watch), some humorous (the "parade of penises") and some heartbreaking (Uma Thurman as "Mrs. H"). He gives us a character (Seligman) through whom we can safely observe and digest these scenes, and experience his unique comparisons to the sexual activities. But much more important than the sex and Seligman's often humorous tangents is the true theme of the film: the guilt Western society has placed on female sexuality. This film is downright profound in it's view of sexual oppression.
For those who doubt the film's depth, consider the topics covered in the conversations between Joe and Seligman: an examination of the true nature of love (which Joe cynically refers to as "lust plus jealousy"), the view of women in a traditional love relationship as a possession of the man (Joe slowly developed the "desire to be one of Jerome's 'things'."), political correctness and language and its relationship to democracy (Joe believes most people are too stupid for democracy), the comparison between the three elements of a Bach orchestration and three of Joe's regular lovers (who also represent three distinct types of sexual need - reliability, animal passion, and love), etc., etc. From fly fishing to spoons to the correct way to parallel park, from soul trees to the mothering instinct to man's place in the universe, there is SOOO much more going on here than just sex.
One of Lars von Trier's most extraordinary and bold films. I'll give it a nine for now, but I suspect it will age very well.
Secondly, the framework of this film is the life of a woman obsessed with sex, so obviously there are many graphic scenes of sexual acts. Sex is central to the plot. Those criticizing it for gratuitous sexual content and calling it pornography are ridiculous, and most likely part of the hypocritical sexual fascism the director is attacking, so their objectivity is highly questionable.
Lars von Trier has set up this elaborate plot and spiced it with all sorts of sexual content: some of it shocking (the S & M sequence is difficult to watch), some humorous (the "parade of penises") and some heartbreaking (Uma Thurman as "Mrs. H"). He gives us a character (Seligman) through whom we can safely observe and digest these scenes, and experience his unique comparisons to the sexual activities. But much more important than the sex and Seligman's often humorous tangents is the true theme of the film: the guilt Western society has placed on female sexuality. This film is downright profound in it's view of sexual oppression.
For those who doubt the film's depth, consider the topics covered in the conversations between Joe and Seligman: an examination of the true nature of love (which Joe cynically refers to as "lust plus jealousy"), the view of women in a traditional love relationship as a possession of the man (Joe slowly developed the "desire to be one of Jerome's 'things'."), political correctness and language and its relationship to democracy (Joe believes most people are too stupid for democracy), the comparison between the three elements of a Bach orchestration and three of Joe's regular lovers (who also represent three distinct types of sexual need - reliability, animal passion, and love), etc., etc. From fly fishing to spoons to the correct way to parallel park, from soul trees to the mothering instinct to man's place in the universe, there is SOOO much more going on here than just sex.
One of Lars von Trier's most extraordinary and bold films. I'll give it a nine for now, but I suspect it will age very well.