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Apr 18, 2014 By Zach Hollwedel Web Exclusive

Sigurður “Siggi” Hjartarson is the founder and curator the Icelandic Phallological Museum, the world’s only permanent collection of penises. Before he retires, Siggi wants to add one last – and perhaps most important – specimen to his collection: the human penis. Fortunately, there are two men interested in having their member be the final addition to the collection. Páll Arason is a 93-year-old Icelandic hero, known equally well for his adventures as an explorer and for his success with the ladies. The problem is, the older Páll gets, the smaller his donation becomes, and Siggi cannot accept him if he is below a certain length. More eager to donate is eccentric Californian, Tom Mitchell, who is so enamored of his manhood (which he has tattooed red, white, and blue) that he has named it Elmo and is taking steps to have it surgically removed so that he can visit it once it’s displayed.

To say the subject matter of The Final Member is unique in the documentary world would be an understatement. Surprisingly, it cannot be overstated how well Jonah Bekhor and Zach Math have crafted their film. Siggi’s science-minded—albeit oddly tuned—nature is a perfect foil for the obsessive fervor with which Tom wants to show his package to the world. Páll, featured least due to his age and laissez-faire attitude toward the whole situation, is no less intriguing than the other two.

What is an undeniably odd (and at times disturbing) glimpse into a few mens’ strange fixation is also a thoroughly engrossing one. One can’t help but wonder at the mental state of Tom Mitchell every time he opens his mouth or sends Siggi a picture of his member in costume, nor does one want to see Siggi fail in his endeavors. The world these three men live in is utterly fascinating, and joining them is one heck of a funhouse ride. At 75 minutes, The Final Member is robust with entertainment, if somewhat short on length, which just goes to prove the old adage – it’s not the size that matters, but how you use it.

thefinalmember.com

Author rating: 7.5/10