The Virgin Suicides
rated R 96 minutes Paramount Classics starring Kathleen Turner, Kirsten Dunst, James Woods, Josh Hartnett, and Hanna R. Hall written and directed by Sofia Coppola from the novel by Jeffrey Eugenides
A Review by Frankie Paiva
The Virgin Suicides is a great film because it asks the audience to interpret character interactions and the overall meaning of the film. At its closing, I felt like seeing it again to examine the relationships between everyone more closely. One would really have to see this movie again in order to fully take in its drama and purpose. This gorgeous, dreamy film is definitely worth a second viewing.
Mr. Lisbon (James Woods) and Mrs. Lisbon (Kathleen Turner) live in an alternate universe that isn't quite explainable. Each of their five daughters, Cecilia (Hanna R. Hall), Lux (Kirsten Dunst), Bonnie (Chelse Swain), Mary (A.J. Cook), and Therese (Leslie Hayman) get kept in the house under close watch at all times. They cannot go out with anyone, or participate in social events outside of school. This of course drives the local boys crazy. They often dream of conquering the unconquerable Lisbon sisters. Everything changes when Cecilia, the youngest of the sisters at only thirteen, attempts suicide. Her psychiatrist (a short appearance from Danny Devito) suggests they throw a party, and give her more chances to interact with males her own age. The boy's sexuality gets further awakened as they try to comprehend and become a part of the girl’s world they get introduced to. As the film continues, the girls begin to decide their fates and the boys love for them becomes even greater.
There is a reason this movie's title is The Virgin Suicides. Anyone looking for even remotely happy or exciting entertainment should look elsewhere. This is a very heavy film, but one that doesn't lose interest, and isn't too slow. The topic of teen suicide gets handled with the greatest of care. The movie takes place in the 1970s when teen suicide wasn't as big of an issue as it is today. Reactions to the suicides by neighbors, reporters, and teenagers are an interesting addition that shows speculation on the Lisbon sisters isn’t just a teenage guy thing. The surprising lack of grief for the lost sister shows what a different family this is. “The girls walked into school like nothing had happened.� says the narrator.
Since the movie gets told almost entirely in flashback by the boys, (the narrator is Giovanni Ribisi) we get just as confused about what's going on in the Lisbon household as they were. The reasons why Mr. and Mrs. Lisbon are so strict with their children never get fully explained. Mr. Lisbon frequently tunes in and out of a conversation, and often rattles on about the great flying machines, and how they won us the war. Mrs. Lisbon insists the girls go to church so that they can absorb the Catholic faith. Both parents are a little out of it. The beauty of the girls and some wonderful shots from director Sofia Coppola make this a stunning and dreamlike fantasy. A fantasy that ends in an inevitable shocking horror.
The acting is superb. Kirsten Dunst has never been more appealing, and she's a standout from the other Lisbon girls. James Woods and Kathleen Turner are also very good as the two parents. They perfectly convey their feelings while still making us wonder what's going on in their heads. Hopefully this movie will make parents think about talking and listening to their children more. Maybe if the parents had listened or done something different, nothing would have happened.
The awkwardness and confusion felt by the boys is what this movie is all about. No matter where they are today, whether it's in drug rehab, still living in the same town, or thousands of miles away, no boy living at that time in that place will ever forget the Lisbon sisters. The thought of conquering the unconquerable as mentioned earlier still exists in their mind. The love, mystery, and bewilderment of their universe linger as well. They can't forget the sisters, neither can I.
A
Frankie Paiva SwpStke@aol.com http://www.homestead.com/cinemaparadise/mainpage.html
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