Nymphomaniac: Volume II

Name: Nymphomaniac: Volume II
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Released: April 4, 2014
Duration: 123 min
Rating: 60
Cast: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Connie Nielsen, Jamie Bell, Shia LaBeouf, Stellan Skarsgård

2014

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 34 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 129 Ratings

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6.6	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 129 Ratings

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Nymphomaniac: Volume II

Movie Details & Credits

Not Rated

Magnolia Pictures | Release Date: April 4, 2014

Starring: Charlotte Gainsbourg, Connie Nielsen, Jamie Bell, Shia LaBeouf, Stellan Skarsgård, Uma Thurman, Willem Dafoe

Summary: Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg), a self-diagnosed nymphomaniac, recounts the erotic experiences of her adulthood.

Director: Lars von Trier

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 123 min

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Awards & Rankings

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Critic Reviews

Village Voice - Michelle Orange

Apr 1, 2014

Nymphomaniac is a jigsaw opus, an extended and generally exquisitely crafted riff. Story, theme, and character (despite Gainsbourg's captivations) bow to von Trier's gamesmanship, which makes his own promiscuities the film's true subject. Read full review

The Hollywood Reporter - Todd McCarthy

Dec 17, 2013

Volume two gets down in ways the first half doesn't, although anything resembling real sensuality remains MIA. Read full review

The Telegraph - Tim Robey

Feb 20, 2014

The point is that you could watch these films for four hours, then spend 14 arguing about them – about whether sex, for vor Trier, is an eternal human mystery, or a cosmic joke at our expense. Read full review

The Playlist - Ben Brock

Mar 20, 2014

If you thought Vol. I was a brilliant piece of provocation, then Vol. II might disappoint you with its detour into (relative) conventionality, its attacks on arthouse artificiality, and its apparently very different politics. But if you found Vol. I to be as silly as some did, then Vol. II suggests something interesting: Lars von Trier might agree. Read full review

New Orleans Times-Picayune - Mike Scott

Apr 4, 2014

It all adds up to weave an engaging story, and not just for its wealth of titillations. Many of the sex scenes, in fact, feel more clinical than anything else. Read full review

Washington Post - Ann Hornaday

Apr 3, 2014

Even at its most depraved, Joe’s journey, and her confession to Seligman, are still compelling enough to propel Volume II until the story becomes hopelessly over-plotted. Read full review

New York Daily News - Joe Neumaier

Apr 3, 2014

Here we go again. Danish director Lars von Trier has pumped out Nymphomaniac: Vol II just a few weeks after “Vol. I” came out. And the results are the same: zero stars. Read full review

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User Reviews

Markolius

Dec 18, 2014

Lars Von Trier's particular, fantastical, and existential depiction of human nature- the relentless betrayal, humanity's seemingly divinely fated inability to avoid suffering, and our infinitely unique interpretation of that suffering -is vividly and beautifully shown. I'm not saying youLars Von Trier's particular, fantastical, and existential depiction of human nature- the relentless betrayal, humanity's seemingly divinely fated inability to avoid suffering, and our infinitely unique interpretation of that suffering -is vividly and beautifully shown. I'm not saying you have to agree with his interpretation, but you will not find a more completely rendered and thought provoking execution of it in all of film. Many have tried, but Lars Von Trier holds this mocking throne highest. He screws you over (especially and most necessarily at the very end) with no less drama, irony, and poetic injustice than Brutus did Julius Cesear or Judas did Jesus Christ. Nymphomania (volumes I & II) is his magnificently harmonized opus to this terrifying but undeniable expression of humanity.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

NiamLeeson79

Apr 13, 2014

Lars Von Trier! A name among the film world that is held in awe, in wonder and sometimes in pure outrage and disgust. I have not seen all his back catalogue (fellow film fans frequently tell me i must watch Dancer in the Dark) but from what i have seen i can tell Von Trier is a veryLars Von Trier! A name among the film world that is held in awe, in wonder and sometimes in pure outrage and disgust. I have not seen all his back catalogue (fellow film fans frequently tell me i must watch Dancer in the Dark) but from what i have seen i can tell Von Trier is a very passionate, creative film-maker who i don't think cares what people think of him. His self righteous, controversial views have over flowed into his films before. The Idiots and Dogville being utterly devoid of any redeeming features and just beyond me in terms of structure and thesis. Melancholia had decent performances but did labor and I always found Antic-Christ highly intriguing and quite creepy in places but i think Nymphomaniac is his most assured work to date.
Divided into two volumes of roughly two hours each, the tormentingly titled Nymphomaniac tells the story of the troubled, bruised and stricken Joe (Charlotte Gainsbourg) as she describes it to soft philosopher Seligman (Stellan Skarsgård), who rescued her after finding her blacked out in an alley. The first part indulges Joe's childhood and youthful erotic experiences with charming, witty verve, before descending into darker, more painful territory in the second part as Joe's desires come up against the overpowering pressures and constraining necessities of adult nature.
Listening to the stories throughout, and allowing occasional variations of his own, Seligman is the perfect confessor; a middle-aged virgin whose life has been lived through the words of others. Firstly, there are some incredibly controversial moments, but, coming after the relaxing of the way films are censored in the UK, are not as outrageous as one would imagine. Erections, genitalia close-ups and real sex have all lost their long held taboo milestone in the movies; although it is still only 'art house' films that tend to get away with them.The scene involving Uma Thurman as the aggrieved wife of one of Stacey Martin's character (the young Joe) lovers is probably where the film is at its weirdest but even this lends itself to the realities of a world far from Triers mind games. Stacey Martinis heavenly in her role and her learning curve is expertly handled and crafted.
Supported by other intense, in turns courageous and uproarious performances, as well as a soundtrack that includes diverse stuff from Rammstein to Beethoven, in keeping with the film's free, candid spirit, Nymphomaniac is a stimulating tour de force that takes in the whole of the singular human experience, including the body and the mind, sex and love, art and life, and all of the complicated and wonderful connections between them. Overwhelming, energising and exhilarating, Nymphomaniac is a brave film made by a man with a generous lust for life in all its cruelty, eccentricity and outrageousness.
The misogyny(that some people are suggesting) is misguided, i can show you many films more misogynistic than this. most 12a's these days have needless titillation in for a start. After all; this is seen though a woman's eyes and there is enough tenderness if you dig deep to counteract any feeling of hatred toward the films harsher moments.
So much to take in, it is not for mainstream audiences but it has meaning behind it and with Shia Labeouf's chagrin and silly accent, Slater's dirty posterior among other moments of zaniness, its also viewed as a dark comedy. As the Americans might put it, maybe even Von Trier might describe it..It isn't a film that you can jerk off to(not that i tried). Its not as transparent as the explicit flesh that is on show would have you believe!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

foxgrove

Apr 4, 2014

This is undoubtedly more of a piece than the first film, but the two should be viewed in tandem and despite flaws are well worth sitting through even as a four hour plus marathon. Charlotte Gainsbourg takes over the central role from Stacy Martin and by now one has accepted the improbableThis is undoubtedly more of a piece than the first film, but the two should be viewed in tandem and despite flaws are well worth sitting through even as a four hour plus marathon. Charlotte Gainsbourg takes over the central role from Stacy Martin and by now one has accepted the improbable scenario connecting chapters. This second part flows a lot better than the first and the screenplay touching on some really provocative themes, including race, paedophilia and gender in equality, is handled in an interesting and thought provoking manner. The ending ties things up effectively and somewhat surprisingly.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Ralfbergs

Mar 13, 2017

Weaker than first movie, but still has interesting ideas and philosophical feel to it. The movie makes you think and the conversations that it has have really interesting comparisons and philosophic points to think about. I didn't like other Lars von Trier movie I saw, but this one was quiteWeaker than first movie, but still has interesting ideas and philosophical feel to it. The movie makes you think and the conversations that it has have really interesting comparisons and philosophic points to think about. I didn't like other Lars von Trier movie I saw, but this one was quite good if you think about it philosophically.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

hugoferreira

Aug 28, 2018

The second volume takes on a darker tone of it's previous and you get the feeling that Lars looses a bit of track in the second part of the epic. The film itself separated from it's predecessor is weak and a bit hollow film. It gets a better view of the sexuality part but the storytellingThe second volume takes on a darker tone of it's previous and you get the feeling that Lars looses a bit of track in the second part of the epic. The film itself separated from it's predecessor is weak and a bit hollow film. It gets a better view of the sexuality part but the storytelling part takes a huge left turn in this film. The ending is the perfect finally, it's the changing detail in the film. Without it and it's first volume the movie would be dull and not so fascinating. Everything glued together and the series becomes an erotic and human epic. Time to check it out and enjoy it, but not to much ;).… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

MovieReviews

Apr 4, 2014

"Nymphomaniac: Vol. II" is greedy, it goes too far with sexuality, in Volume I, it was continuing the story, here, it is overloaded with sexuality that isn't necessary and won't affect the story if it was decreased a bit. I hate the ending of the film, it is disrespectful to the audience who"Nymphomaniac: Vol. II" is greedy, it goes too far with sexuality, in Volume I, it was continuing the story, here, it is overloaded with sexuality that isn't necessary and won't affect the story if it was decreased a bit. I hate the ending of the film, it is disrespectful to the audience who waited two hours just to find out satisfactory after being temporarily depressed for four hours in two movies. As for the bright side, this is serious filmmaking as I said before, the actors are all winners and the two Volumes won't be forgotten by people for a long time.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

elitepredetor99

Aug 1, 2017

Let me start off this review by expressing how **** annoying the movies main characters were, both the mentally ill women and that old man pissed me off till no end.this mentally ill piece of **** women explains in chapters through out volume I&II how she has **** up so many people's lifeLet me start off this review by expressing how **** annoying the movies main characters were, both the mentally ill women and that old man pissed me off till no end.this mentally ill piece of **** women explains in chapters through out volume I&II how she has **** up so many people's life selfishly and without remorse, while she explains this it annoys the viewer seeing how much of a piece of **** selfish person she is. After each chapter after she is done explaining how she destroyed someones life this **** retarded old piece of **** man keeps emphasising with her and telling her how she was innocent and right even though, she left her husband and children for some **** up weird fetish, how she ruined a strangers marriage for sex and her own pleasure, and so on. But this **** old man won't stop emphasising with her which annoyed me soon much that I felt like breaking my screen, I don't know who was more annoying this piece of **** women who destroyed so much lives just for sex and pleasure or this piece of **** old man who should of died long ago. All this old **** does is emphases and relate that whores sins to fishes and other bull**** things like a stain on the wall … Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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