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The Virgin Suicides (2000)
Released By: Paramount Home Video   Rating: R   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: Paramount Home Video
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Sofia Coppola
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Danny DeVito, James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Scott Glenn, Josh Hartnett
Published ID: 476021
UPC: 097363381747, 097363381723,
Plot: A dark comedy punctuated by moments of drama, The Virgin Suicides explores the emotional underpinnings of a family starting to come apart at the seams in 1970's Midwestern America. The Lisbons seem like an ordinary enough family; Father (James Woods) teaches math at a high school in Michigan, Mother (Kathleen Turner) has a strong religious faith, and they have five teenage daughters, ranging from 13-year-old Cecilia (Hannah Hall) to 17-year-old Therese (Leslie Hayman). However, the Lisbon family's sense of normalcy is shattered when Cecilia falls into a deep depression and attempts suicide. The family is shaken and Mother and Father seek the advice of psychiatrist Dr. Hornicker (Danny DeVito), who suggests the girls should be allowed to socialize more with boys. However, boys soon become a serious problem for Cecilia's sister Lux (Kirsten Dunst). Lux has attracted the eye of a high-school Romeo named Trip (Josh Hartnett), who assures Father of his good intentions. But Cecilia finally makes good on her decision to kill herself, throwing the Lisbons into a panic; and after attending a school dance, Trip seduces and then abandons Lux. The Lisbons pull their daughters out of school, as an emotionally frayed Mother keeps close watch over them. Meanwhile, Lux continues to attract the attentions of the local boys, and she responds with a series of clandestine sexual episodes with random partners as often as she can sneak out of the house. The debut feature from Sofia Coppola (whose father, Francis Ford Coppola, co-produced this film), The Virgin Suicides also features supporting performances from Scott Glenn and Giovanni Ribisi. The film was shown as part of the Directors Fortnight series as the 1999 {~Cannes Film Festival}. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
Conservative family kills daughters
Added 9/29/2009

Or something to that effect. Another in the "American Beauty" camp of willfully narrow-minded views of middle America.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
passable
Added 8/8/2009

This wasn't a particularly good movie. Much of the story was dry, uninteresting, and well, just *dry*.

Everything from the party in the beginning of the movie where the boys went over to the girls house, and neither the girls or boys were talking to each other at the party. This part was too long, but at least here it was building up to a suicide involving the youngest sister (of the five sisters).

The story continues the boredom aspect when the sisters eventually go to the high school prom with the guys. Again, boring boring boring. Overlong romantic scenes and nothing interesting about what was taking place.

You can probably guess what happens just by the name of the movie, and yeah, it was a sad ending, but it also was a shocking ending, and I don't really mean that as a compliment- the storyline did nothing in the way of building interest to the ending, so it was more like "Oh ok, so that was it?" when it was over.

At least the movie tried keeping my interest in a few spots, and the rock music that was included in the film focused on the mid to late 70's scene with KISS, Heart, and other bands.

I just couldn't see much appeal in this one I'm afraid.

0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Screw the Movie, Read the Book!
Added 3/10/2009

As soon as I heard the title, I was pining to see this movie. Alas, when it came out, I wasn't able to see it. So I researched it. When I found out it was based on a book, I got the book. I read it in two days, and decided it was my favorite novel (until a few years later when I read Requiem for a Dream). The book was so amazingly original. When I finally saw the film, I wanted sooooo bad to like it. I even convinced myself for a while that I did. The cinematography really was beautiful, but the actual script only had minor things I liked (little added touches with the parents that the book lacked). But when I watched the film again a few years later, I was mad. It was not nearly as clear as the book was (I think the first time I saw it I kind of filled myself in with my knowledge of the book). And honestly, it wasn't even half as interesting or intriguing as the book. When I saw it again, I was shocked at the great reviews.

I really didn't like Kirsten Dunst in this. Not bad acting, just a bad script. In the book, the character seemed more real to me, less dumb. I feel like the script just played up on a "hot" actress instead of focusing on real character development. Besides the cinematography, the film didn't add enough to the book to actually buy. I would rent it if you loved the book (just to see someone's take on it), but if you haven't, I can't imagine why you would be interested.

0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
good movie!
Added 11/25/2008

movie is very very close to the book....good job with keeping true to the book....i dislike when directors deviate too much from the book.....if you can read the book first, go for it, and then watch the movie.

0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
Sofia's launch to a movie that seems to grow on you
Added 8/29/2008

What I loved about the Virgins is the simplicity of complexity that revolves itself around the absurd. Then again what is absurd, and what is unimaginable? In a world with six billion plus, anything and everything is possible. The film lingered with me for hours after seeing it, I didn't want it too end almost, I wanted to know the girls more, and yet I couldn't, they were lifeless, and that is the pure remarkability of Coppola to bring us into a world so perverse that we only want to be on the outside window shopping, and see that even in the most glorious of beauty, lies the complex intricies of abnormaility. It's a sick film, a funny film, it reminds me sort of in a way to Almost Famous. I can't really say why, but it seems to share some sort of tangible relevance to actually care whats going on in each moment of the film.

The Virgin Suicides has a killer soundtrack, Air is breathtaking in key scences that surely needed it and the stereotypical role of the jock using the girl for as long as he could to just make it around home plate, is a sure kick in Jonny Football hero's keester, as its spot on.

I recommed this for people who want something entirely different, and James Woods of course handles it yet again, and gracefully shows us what acting is beyond reciting lines, its living a part, and he does it deliciously so. Great seeing Scott Glenn, who I think is just awesome, even in a bit part, and shame on the company for giving Danny Devito top billing for his less than two minute role, which was pointless and pathetic. Josh Hartnett is made for the role in which he portrayed. Buy it!

A Strong 3.5 Stars


2 out of 4 people found this helpful.
Conservative family kills daughters
Added 9/29/2009

Or something to that effect. Another in the "American Beauty" camp of willfully narrow-minded views of middle America.
0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
passable
Added 8/8/2009

This wasn't a particularly good movie. Much of the story was dry, uninteresting, and well, just *dry*.

Everything from the party in the beginning of the movie where the boys went over to the girls house, and neither the girls or boys were talking to each other at the party. This part was too long, but at least here it was building up to a suicide involving the youngest sister (of the five sisters).

The story continues the boredom aspect when the sisters eventually go to the high school prom with the guys. Again, boring boring boring. Overlong romantic scenes and nothing interesting about what was taking place.

You can probably guess what happens just by the name of the movie, and yeah, it was a sad ending, but it also was a shocking ending, and I don't really mean that as a compliment- the storyline did nothing in the way of building interest to the ending, so it was more like "Oh ok, so that was it?" when it was over.

At least the movie tried keeping my interest in a few spots, and the rock music that was included in the film focused on the mid to late 70's scene with KISS, Heart, and other bands.

I just couldn't see much appeal in this one I'm afraid.

0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
Screw the Movie, Read the Book!
Added 3/10/2009

As soon as I heard the title, I was pining to see this movie. Alas, when it came out, I wasn't able to see it. So I researched it. When I found out it was based on a book, I got the book. I read it in two days, and decided it was my favorite novel (until a few years later when I read Requiem for a Dream). The book was so amazingly original. When I finally saw the film, I wanted sooooo bad to like it. I even convinced myself for a while that I did. The cinematography really was beautiful, but the actual script only had minor things I liked (little added touches with the parents that the book lacked). But when I watched the film again a few years later, I was mad. It was not nearly as clear as the book was (I think the first time I saw it I kind of filled myself in with my knowledge of the book). And honestly, it wasn't even half as interesting or intriguing as the book. When I saw it again, I was shocked at the great reviews.

I really didn't like Kirsten Dunst in this. Not bad acting, just a bad script. In the book, the character seemed more real to me, less dumb. I feel like the script just played up on a "hot" actress instead of focusing on real character development. Besides the cinematography, the film didn't add enough to the book to actually buy. I would rent it if you loved the book (just to see someone's take on it), but if you haven't, I can't imagine why you would be interested.

0 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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