DVD Review: Nympha
Nympha (2008)
Studio: MTI Home Video
DVD Release Date: September 9, 2008
Directed By: Ivan Zuccon
Cast: Tiffany Shepis, Allan McKenna, Michael Segal, Allessandra Guerzoni
Deadly DVD Rating: 1 ½ out of 5 stars
Review By: Marc Patterson
First things first. Before I get into this review I have to mention the one item that anyone who chooses to watch this film will immediately pick up on, and then question. And that thing is the subject of the title to the film. When you put Tiffany Shepis as top billing on a film named Nympha you’re guaranteed to send copies flying off the shelves to gore and sleaze hungry fans. Kudos to the studio for this little twist. But, when the title to the film has nothing to do with the film whatsoever you walk one hell of a fine line. See, the central character to the film is a certain young girl named “Ninfa”. That’s right. No nymphomaniacs here. But don’t worry too much. I did mention Tiffany Shepis right? Okay then, calm down. You’ll get your share of gore drenched nudity and smut.
In Nympha Tiffany Shepis takes on what is possibly the most ironic role of her career as that of a cloister nun named Sarah, who moves to a convent in Italy to leave behind her sordid past and dedicate herself to the Lord. (I know right?) The film reeks of a third rate Suspira rip-off from the beginning frames, but progresses the plot quickly enough to develop a voice of its own. The problem becomes that even though it has its own voice we’re not exactly sure what the hell is being said, (and that has nothing to do with the film being shot in Italy).
Sarah arrives at the convent where she is taken to her room by two nuns who appear to be about as fun as going to the dentist for a root canal on a hungover Sunday morning. They have her change her clothes into the traditional nunnery garb and eventually come back for her where they take her to another room, apparently to be examined by a doctor. The good doctor has different plans and painfully removes her ear drums with a scalpel. With her hearing lost a strange thing happens. Sarah can now hear even better and she can hear things otherworldly! Not that this is exactly good thing. Sarah quickly descends into a state of religion induced madness where there is no apparent escape. Realizing she’s trapped in this newfound hell, Sarah becomes a tortured soul, as the nuns slowly rip her apart piece by piece. But why? And who is Ninfa? And what does Ninfa have to do with… well anything?
Overall, Nympha was one tough egg to crack. You certainly can’t check your brain at the door when you turn this one on, though I guarantee you’ll want to. Not much about the title expresses that you might actually have to pay attention, but it’s so damn confusing that you’ll not want to miss a frame. Unfortunately, I think you could effectively miss quite a few frames and still not miss what’s going on. It’s a confusing and deliberately infuriating film that can’t seem to comprehend that coherence and style don’t have to be mutually exclusive concepts. I’m a big fan of artistic horror, but this ain’t that. Not by a long shot. Even though “artistic” is exactly what this film wanted to be.
Pacing wise, this was an incredibly slow film and combined with the abstract confusion it took everything in me not to turn it off. Somewhere, somehow, deep inside, my masochistic side of me forced me to persist. Luckily the payoff does come, and is satisfying, bringing a nice closure to a painful first hour of mind numbing disorientation. However, the payoff, while bloody as hell and satisfying was far too late in the film to make it worthwhile.
Bringing it back to the subject of our leading star… Tiffany Shepis isn’t in danger of winning any awards for her acting, but she doesn’t do a half bad job, and appears to be at the top of her game. The first ten minutes of the film she spends mostly naked, which while isn’t a surprise, is a bit shocking considering that she’s supposed to be in the service of God. Neh. Who’s complaining? Just throw on some blood and drama and all is good. The remainder of the cast does a fine job as well, but again with the odd way of developing both characters and plot the acting is the least of our worries here.
While Nympha sports enough blood and guts to satisfy it unfortunately treads the ground of plot that’s just too heavy for a Friday night. Because it sucked severely for the first hour I have to judge it accordingly, just as God will. I give this cinematic mess a measly one and a half stars and my official recommendation to pass on it.
