Von Trier creates episodes of brilliant verbal repartee, ludicrous slapstick comedy and piercing emotional power, often overlapping.
Slater got connected to von Trier via his agent being in Denmark and used makeup under his eyes to make himself look old enough to be Joe's father.
An avowed celibate, Jewish-born atheist and voracious reader who continually references authors and intellectuals of all persuasions, he lives like an ascetic priest, surrounded by his texts in shabby quarters that speak to a life of the mind and disavow creature comforts.
Not only does 1991's Zandalee have an all-star cast including Nicolas Cage, Marisa Tomei, and Steve Buscemi, it's about a sexually frustrated store owner who cheats on her husband with his friend.
As a young adult, Joe drops out of medical school and finds work as a secretary at a printing company.
The only person judging Young Joe is the mature Joe, wrapped up in blankets, telling Seligman the story.