A lot of user reviews mention that it doesn't live up to the "controversy". Watching a film because it is hyped up will always leave you feeling disappointed due to the insane or incorrect expectations that you had. This film is not sexy or erotic, it is a long discussion about morality and whether circumstances can justify behaviour. Along the way, the film fearlessly touches upon many controversial subjects. It travels from addiction to abortion to paedophilia in a very short time and covers many more subjects too. The film manages to be informative about subjects whilst also debating the subjects and offering a philosophical viewpoint from the two ideology-different characters.If you wish to view a narrative of life that touches upon some important, controversial and little talked about subjects then watch it. Otherwise, avoid it.I would have given the film a 9 if it wasn't for an ending that was inconsistent with the rest of the film.

In much the same way that Meloncholia was considered an "art" film, I see Nymphomaniac II in the same genre. From the beautiful irony of Joe's tale being analyzed by a geeky virgin, to the juxtapositions of deep emotions with raw, graphic sex and abuse, the movie pulls the viewer in many directions. The casting is also somewhat ironic as well. Shia's real-life wife being cast in scenes without him, Christian Slater as a caring father of a tortured daughter, and Dafoe as a caring substitute father but in reality a vile business mentor, all reek of clever casting. Music and excellent cinematography enhance the capture of the viewer in a tale of psychological importance. Not a film for the shy, and not a film for enjoying shallow characters. It's very deep and might even be therapeutic for some.

I have written quite exhaustive review of this movie but Socialist State of IMDb kinda prohibits some words - but in a very Kafkaesque manner does not explain which ones. That's somewhat unfortunate as the movie Nymphomaniac can only be described by words that describe some mature content activities. I mean some really depraved mature content activities.Even though there is a lot of mature activity going around in this four hour long movie it is also unbelievably dull and boring. It is really hard to describe four hours long intellectual exchange so to speak between utterly depraved female character that seems to ask for understanding and her supposed intellectual savior. Philosophy, music, arts, the topics you would expect to be discussed between an old loner and insane sex addict - at least if you are modern intellectual leftist. It is so excruciatingly boring, long and really painful to watch. I kinda loved early Trier works like Kingdom Hospital but this is just beyond horrible. The main female character is supposed to be some sort of female suffering from masculine and capitalist oppression, but she only abuses others - males, females, her own son, everyone. Its sick character only getting sicker as movie progresses. There is no resolution at the end, no salvation, no conclusion, no mercy, no atonement, not a single spark of light at the end of the tunnel. The main heroine is simply sick psychopath who should be treated at the closed psychiatric ward as she descends just from from perverted to simply dangerous and evil.

I have given a 4 but only for the sake of some acting that I could stumble upon in the movie. Apart from me being very nice and generous it was a terrible movie, in fact. 1. Not only does he try to inject some "intellectual" lines within the script but he also mentions a few problems of philosophy of mathematics which are not taken seriously any more (e.g. Zeno's Paradox)2. Philosophical references are pretty naive and fail to draw attention from those who at least have read one or two pages from philosophy, logic or mathematics.3. Although its cinematography is very weak and restricted Lars von Trier did not hesitate to make such a long movie, apparently. 4. Relatively weak script and absolutely weak cinematography, obviously, is not the best combination to make a long movie; it is just making it dull, boring and almost pointless. 5. What is the premise anyway? ---spoiler--- Why did she kill him though he was merely jerking off and why on earth would a man say something like "oh you f*cked thousands of men, so what?" when a gun is pointed towards his freaking face? ---spoiler---6. Frankly, I would like to see more butts, tits and pussies in a movie named "Nymphomaniac". But no. All we see are damn ugly cocks.