by Foster Harlfinger, Contributing Writer
The Worst Person in the World, Norway’s recently Oscar-nominated submission for Best International Feature Film, joins the ranks of films like Amélie, Pan’s Labyrinth, and Parasite as one of the most accessible and undeniably enjoyable foreign films ever made. Worst Person stars Renate Reinsve — in her first leading role in a feature film — as Julie, an aimless 20-something who navigates her way through the messy business of figuring out what it means to be human. Worst Person marks the third film in Joachim Trier’s unofficial Oslo Trilogy, though speaking as someone largely unfamiliar with his work, this film not only acts as a perfect entry point into Trier’s filmography, but into foreign cinema as a whole.
It would be a crime to continue any further without mentioning the spectacular acting on display from Reinsve, whose charming and emotionally nuanced performance anchors the film. The choice to break Worst Person into 12 easily digestible chapters perfectly complements Julie’s journey, as it captures moments of humor, love, pain, and every emotion in between.
Given the hilarious relatability of Julie’s journey, making your way through this film is a breeze. Trier gracefully guides the viewer through the varied chapters of Julie’s life, offering surprising moments of dazzling creativity, including one show-stopping scene in which time literally stands still for our protagonist. Though it may have been marketed as a romantic comedy, labeling the film in such a way does not account for the wide range of emotions Worst Person elicits, particularly in its moving final act. That being said, given the film’s broad emotional range, the romantic comedy categorization does hit close to the mark for a decent portion of its runtime.
Speaking of romance, chief among our supporting players is Julie’s boyfriend, Aksel, masterfully portrayed by frequent Trier collaborator Anders Danielsen Lie. Julie and Aksel’s rocky relationship may be one of the most emotionally truthful depictions of love ever put to film. Both characters are able to connect with one another on a deep level, yet their life trajectories are roughly 10 years out of sync. This is not to say that Julie and Aksel would make a perfect Hollywood couple if it were not for their age gap. Part of Worst Person’s charm is that both characters are endearingly imperfect, and they have more than their fair share of moments that will make you cringe with secondhand embarrassment. As the film progresses, so too does the depth and complexity of Julie and Aksel’s relationship. The final act takes what could have been your typical will-they-won’t-they plot structure and adds a much-appreciated layer of dramatic weight.
The Worst Person in the World is an exceptional film which adds the messy element of time to the concept of finding one’s soulmate, and its episodic structure lends itself to a variety of moving, humorous, and unexpectedly creative sequences. Top-notch performances, an admirably nuanced screenplay, and quietly beautiful imagery make this one of the easiest recommendations of the year, and if you are looking to explore more foreign cinema, The Worst Person in the World is the perfect place to start.
Grade: A-
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