Directed by Joachim Trier
Starring Renate Reinsve, Anders Danielsen Lie and Herbert Nordrum

A coming-of-age romantic comedy-drama… at the riper age of thirty. 

Norway’s entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards ®, The Worst Person in the World affectionately captures four years in the life of Julie (Renate Reinsve). Split into 12 chapters, plus a prologue and an epilogue, each chapter gains insight into the various aspects of Julie’s life as she seeks to find her belonging in love, career and with family. 

If there is one ambition in life that Julie is confident she won’t be pursuing, it’s the conventional married with children lifestyle. Everything else though is on the table.

From the outset, The Worst Person in the World is an abundantly and irresistibly exuberant film experience showcasing wonderful imagination and featuring a lead female character whose perspective, candour and charm instantly makes her an infectiously loveable person. It is no exaggeration to state that this movie’s effortless ability to engage at the level it does so rapidly was reminiscent of the classic 2001 French romantic comedy, Amelie. Furthermore, the radiant central performance in this film from Renate Reinsve, who scooped up the Best Actress Award Winner at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, is not far off the star-making spectacle put on by Audrey Tautou as Amelie. Julie could easily have come across as a complex, trivial and discontent character whom many viewers wouldn’t connect with. She fulfils certain desires yet finds herself longing for something else. Jobs will be quit, partners will be dumped and family will be cut off until she discovers what it is that makes her whole. 

The splendid writing and directing, which are truly devoted to embellishing all experiences seen from Julie’s eyes, play a vital role in her being someone many can and will broadly resonate with. The only missing element in the film I was seeking is greater depth and preciseness to come from the writing in a specific area. This would have made The Worst Person in the World the complete cinematic experience for me. But, with its terrific music score, a couple of standout and unforgettable scenes and having been beautifully filmed, this Norwegian gem may very well be the complete cinematic experience you are seeking. Strongly recommended.

The Worst Person in the World is showing in selected cinemas across Australia from December 26th.

Moviedoc thanks Madman for the screener link provided to watch and review this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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