THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD turns out to be one of the best films of the year.

Told in twelve chapters, and an epilogue, THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD begins with a prologue depicting Julie’s tendency to not know what she wants.

After a number of career changes that cascade from medical student to photographer to bookseller, and approaching her thirtieth birthday, Julie takes up with Aksel, a successful graphic novelist. His success and advancing years is setting him up for settling down, but Julie is not so sure she wants marriage and children.

Her own fractious relationship with her father may be part of this, but as many in the audience will empathise with, she may not know what she wants, but she knows what she doesn’t want.

While Aksel is busy attending his own business, Julie gatecrashes a party and meets the young and charming Eivind. She does not intend to cheat on Aksel but is intoxicated by Eivind and they flirt themselves to the edge of infidelity.

As careful as they are to stay only the brink, a teasing, thrilling, precarious place, they topple. Before long, Julie has become the worst person in the world, by breaking up with Aksel, breaking up Eivind’s relationship with his girlfriend, moving in with him, hoping for a new perspective on her life.

THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD deals with all the pain and passion of regret and renewal, the euphoric and forlorn, as well as the rapidly changing social and cultural landscape.

Winner of the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival, Renate Reinsve’s portrayal of Julie is poignant, playful and brimful of the paradox and complexity of being human.

THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD is a smart, sexy, frank and funny, mature coming-of-age drama from Norwegian director Joachim Trier. The worst thing in the world would be to miss it.

Richard Cotter