Film Review: The Worst Person In The World: Dir. Joachim Trier
© Neon and Oslo Pictures
Written by Belle McIntyre
The tone of this film is set from the start as we dive into the unpredictable world of Julie (Renate Reinsve), a charming and attractive medical student living in Oslo. Without missing a beat, she decides to change her major to psychology, which she finds more interesting until she discovers photography. She seems blissfully unphased by her lack of direction and takes a job in a bookstore, where she begins to write. The film is presented in 12 chapters which read like diary entries. Julie is a thoroughly engaging mercurial character as portrayed by Reinsve who has the unselfconscious natural appeal of Greta Gerwig.
Her life begins to take form when she meets Aksel (Anders Danielsen Lie) at a book publishing party. Aksel is 15 years her senior and has a successful career as a popular comic book author. It is not long before they are dating fairly seriously in spite of the age difference which is more of a problem for Aksel since he is ready for a family. When he expresses his misgivings to Julie she overrules him and moves in as they launch into a real relationship. They have exuberant and enthusiastic sex and things look promising. That is until Julie encounters Eivind (Herbert Nordrum) at a party and they have an amazingly intimate non-sexual flirtation since they are determined not to cheat. No numbers are exchanged. It is quirky and sweet.
Alas Aksel turns out to be prophetic. Julie and Eivind have a chance encounter at the bookstore which triggers an obsessive desire to be with each other which leaves two broken relationships. The mechanics of the shifting romantic couplings is intriguing and convoluted and original in its execution. Julie’s cavalier behavior toward those in the wake of her protean pursuit of whatever it is that she thinks she wants is not particularly admirable. But she seems destined to keep on trying out whatever attracts her unburdened by introspection or forethought yet full of joie de vivre. She is a delight to watch. May she find her way.
