The Virgin Suicides

[doctor drew]

I'm not quite sure when this film was first released but I finally had the chance to check it out this weekend. To put it simply, I was touched and impressed by Sofia Coppola's directorial debut.

Coppola pays strict attention to details.The decision to use vintage really captured the feel of the time period. It has a grainy appearance and sets the mood for 1970's Michigan.

Apart from Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett, Kathleen Turner and James Woods, the film features relatively obscure actors but that does little to hinder the emtions which pour out from this film. It looks to capture the feelings associated with longing and desire for the opposite sex. (particularily from a male perspective) How we feel when we fall in love. What it's like to be infatuated. It accomplishes this so well and take you back to your adolescence, when sex and girls were foreign and we knew little about either one. (sorry, like I said, the male viewpoint)

Coppola creates a distinct feeling of entrapment with the Lisbon houehold, as the 5 sisters struggle under their overbearing mother and father. They are prisoners in their own house, forced to put aside their feelings of desire and curiosity, ultimately driving them to their final decision. They are cut off from their male admirers and forced to relinquish everything they cherish; their music, freedom and love.

One of the best aspects of this film is the dreamy soundtrack provided by French duo Air. It works superbly to underline the teenage adolescent experience. Fans of the group (myself included) will love the soundscapes which fade in and out during crucial moments in the film. Really well done.

Kudos to Sofia Coppola on her first film , I really enjoyed it and would highly recommend it to those looking to "revisit" their adolescence, if only for a few brief moments in time. Also to anyone looking to see a solid first film from a rookie director who we will certainly hear from again in the future.

I'm just curious so as to what others though of this poignant, touching film. Lemme hear from you, (you too Joblo!)

thanks.

PS: Can't wait for Sofia and Spike to make a film together, should be crazy.

[JoBlo]

First of all, allow me to commend you on a wonderfully written review. Seriously...great job! (better than most of the shite I spit out week to week... /ubb/smile.gif

Unfortunately, I could only agree with a few of your points regarding this film, which I ended up giving a 5/10 (review up later this week), mainly because it was slow, boring, and ultimately lacked any real story in my mind.

I agree with you in that the film itself was wonderfully captured in essence, and the debut of Sofia Coppola behind the camera was pretty impressive (at least, stylistically), but in the end, the film did very little to me, and actually left me feeling quite empty.

I did enjoy the soundtrack and the perfomances from Woods, Dunst and especially Hartnett, but I just found myself bored as the film progressed, kind of waiting for a story, which never came.

I know that as far as critics are concerned, many loved this pic, but I guess that leaves me in the minority....again!

That's it. Just another JoBlo's opinion...

[The Arrow]

I swa it recently and loved it. It's a touching, poetic, sad slice of america and I for one appreciated the way the story unravelled. All the actors give great performances and the movie left me with a feeling of depression afterwards. Good first movie for Miss Coppola.

[movies35]

I am sure this will get moved to General but this is the first ever thread in Current Movie Talk!

[idealdiscountdude]

I do not know why this relic of a thread was bumped up, but I gotta agree with JoBlo, doctordrew's review is excellent.

Anywho, The Virgin Suicides came out a coupla years ago so I'm a moving this to General Movie Talk.........

[QUENTIN]

Ahh, the good ole days, this brings back fuzzy memories... I remember reading this as it went on, nearly 3 years ago, I do love the film 8/10 and am glad it has found a nice following on video and DVD.

[Hannibal21]

I know I'm in the minority here but I must say this film was a HUGE letdown. The plot was uninteresting, the pacing was slow and bored the living shite out of me. Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett did nothing for me and I just didn't get into it. 4/10

[slapHappy]

Didn't like it much my self. I found it over directed, and I was even an extra in it! I would give it 5/10.

[bowieee]

Has sophia coppola done anything since this one? It garnered her alot of praise when it came out.

[Lindsey]

Dr Drew! Hey, way to bring back an old topic movies35.

The Virgin Suciides was a great film in my opinion. But it's sooo deep that it's almost depressing. Well it is, when you find out what happenes to everybody. Sheesh. :(

[flowrchild]

Originally posted by Hannibal21
I know I'm in the minority here but I must say this film was a HUGE letdown. The plot was uninteresting, the pacing was slow and bored the living shite out of me. Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett did nothing for me and I just didn't get into it. 4/10

I agree with you. And the ending was so over the top and unbelievable and forced. Blech.

[AppleHuntr]

The Virgin Suicides is a great book, and an okay movie.
It stays pretty faithful but it doesnt have the haunting atmosphere of the book, the score from Air helps a lot, but its just didnt feel quite right, good performances all around, though, and I still liked it.

7/10

[Damned Martian]

9/10 for me. loved it, and among all the people I know that have seen it, I'm the only one that likes it. Actually, all them hate it with all their heart... I was starting to think I was mad or something like that... thank you schmoes to make me feel less alone!:D

[urbanlegend23]

Really good flick. Great style, brilliant acting especially from Kirsten Dunst. Sofia Coppola's debut is indeed impressive, and I loved that it had a viewpoint from the boys when it otherwise would've been considered a "chick" flick. It wasn't as good on second viewing, but was still a great movie and I'm eager to watch it again sometime.

8/10

[Kim_EZ]

I really did enjoy this movie, but Josh Hartnett just sucks. Ugh.

[Kastman]

I thought it was good, but not THAT good. 6 or 7/10

[Cyclonus]

The Virgin Sucides is a really good movie, but it gets so depressing, the way things turn out. I get depressed all the time, so I wondered if this film would be a good way to deal with it. I don't know, but it does capture that horrible, empty feeling teens get sometimes. I'm not over it myself. You know it's going to be a downer, the way it opens with the youngest daughter attempting to kill herself by slitting her wrists. I feel that way sometimes, but certainly doing it is another matter altogether. This movie made me think about myself and where I'm going--I really hope I don't screw things up.

This is the directorial debut of Sofia Coppola, daughter of noted director Francis Ford Coppola. She got negative reviews for her stiff performance in Godfather III, but this film proves she's much better on the other side of the camera. Let's hope she stays there.

[rushmore beauty]

A solid 9/10. Beautiful movie with great cinematography, acting, direction and soundtrack.

[Outlaw_x]

they showed it to us in school i thought it was suposed to be comedy cause it kept cracking me up i was lauging so hard and then i got in crap with my teacher. I stil say its funny

[xUberJasonx]

it was ok 6/10