This movie builds
Added 1/29/2007
This movie starts out a bit slow, a bit meandering and its doe not feel like the description on the dvd case. But it does... just not the way you expect it, and it builds to a very emotional and devastating ending. I was trying to work while watching it, but that was impossible. It demanded my attention and left me stunned. A great movie!
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Beyond Initial Understanding
Added 6/18/2006
There are certain actresses that if they are in a film, I expect to experience some uncommonly good perspective about some idea or persona that is often misunderstood. For me, those actresses include Robin Wright Penn, Chloe Sevigny, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Susan Sarandon, Vanessa Redgrave, Emma Thompson, and several others.
Robin Wright Penn acts in this film, and she also believed enough in the film that she was an executive producer. "Virgin" stars Elizabeth Moss, who was Zoey Bartlet from TV's The West Wing. She and the rest of the cast do a tremendous acting job.
The hypocritical father thinks he is doing "good" by condemning and chatising his daugther, following the cruel and misguided persecution of the community. Jessie asks her father, "Who is the liar?" Her father says, "I won't betray my God for you." Sometimes life gives us improbable truths that raise the question of "Do I follow the community's directive or do I consider that my child is telling the truth?" The plot is set up to give an example of where an improbable fact is true. And it is the interpretations of those improbable facts that determine the fate of the characters.
Jessie tells a story of an animal experiment. It's purposefully unclear whether the story is true or something she made up. But it presented questions that I don't have answers for. Another "story" is told by a mad woman, a story that gives another example of where a premature and uninformed interpretation of the facts leads to a tragic violent decision. The story appears to cause Jessie to stop incorrectly blaming and trying to hurt her child.
This movie does not turn away from facing the brutality of rape and the warped mentality of a rapist. The movie is an adult conversation about the brutalities of misunderstanding. It's tough to keep watching all the way to the end, but I encourage you to watch it all. If a theme of the film is "Don't prematurely judge without all the information", the film itself is an example of that theme.
Great art can be interpreted well in many different ways. This film is larger than my understanding, smarter than me, and I'm privileged to have seen it. If after watching the film, you have any concern whether writer/director Deborah Kampmeier has more intelligent things to say about women's issues, then watch the equally recommendable short film on the DVD, entitled "Eat Your Heart Out."
Please comment, express feedback, or suggest related movies.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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Most Moving Movie of the Century
Added 8/1/2005
When I first saw this movie at the rental, it looked interesting, so I rented it. This movie is the best movie I have ever seen. Elisabeth Moss gives an oscar worthy perfermance, and the whole film will make you see how much people have faith in their religion, but thinks it is impossible to have another christ child. I usually don't like movies that make me cry, but this is a must see.
Elisabeth Moss plays a girl who believes she is carrying the christ child. Little does she know the night before she was drugged and raped by her boyfriend. As the movie goes on the small town she lives in revolts against her,"insanity", and basically shuns her. The rest I shall leave as a ending, I don't want to spoil it. YOU MUST GET THIS MOVIE, I KNOW IT IS HARD TO FIND, BUT BUY IT THEN IT'S WORTH IT!
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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Couldnt finish it
Added 7/24/2005
Virgin seemed like an interesting movie, but half way through I couldnt finish it. Even with its tough topic and Moss' great performance, the movie failed to catch me attention.
0 out of 6 people found this helpful.
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The most powerful film I have ever seen! The emotional aspect of Jessie's(Elisabeth Moss) alcoholism and overall mindful un-rest are so truly moving it has to be seen to be believed. Bravo to Deborah Kampier and Robin Wright Penn for giving us ( the viewers )a movie-going experience that will haunt us for the rest of our lives. Never have I seen such TRUE emotion and heart-breaking honesty. The lesson of the film is different for everyone. I believe that is what has made this such an underground favorite. If I had only 24 hours left to live, "VIRGIN" would be at the top-of-the-list of things to do and see. Do yourself a favor, don't miss this movie !
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