Live Virgin [2000] [DVD]

Unfortunately, I don't think that American Virgin knows what it wants to be. Given the Cast (Mena Suvari, Bob Hoskins, Robert Loggia) one might expect a sophisticated comedy. Given the subject matter and setting (a porn producer fighting his rival for the film rights to his daughter's deflowering) as well as the supporting cast (several actual actors from the worlds of porn and erotica) one might expect a campy late-night, Cinemax sexual slapstick. The Trailer and description suggest a dark comedy about sexuality in American society. The film tries to be all of these at times and ends up falling short constantly.

As a serious comedy, it immediately fails. Suvari apparently made this film before her break through roles (in fact, its original title, "Live Virgin" was apparently changed to capitalize on her success in "American Pie" and "American Beauty", both far better films). Hoskins and Loggia have both performed a slew of better roles. The film simply isn't as well plotted and performed as one might hope a mainstream comedy would be.

As a titillating farce the film equally fails. The comedy tries to alternate between situational ironies, one-line zingers, visual sight-gags and slapstick hijinks. Its failure to commit to one and follow through causes confusion in the viewer and calls attention to the films other failures and inconsistencies. In a lower budget film, these failures might be covered up through the misdirection of constant nudity or frequent sexual interludes, but contrary to what one might think upon reading a synopsis of this film, there is only brief nudity (by characters that one wouldn't even consider in supporting roles) and only the smallest hint of sex or eroticism (it almost doesn't bare mentioning).

Most disappointing is the films inability to be the dark and poignant comedy that given the subject matter it could have been. There is a message of social commentary buried deep (very deep) inside all of the other non-sense that occurs. But it is only barely explored and all but lost amid the confusion of the rest of the film.

I won't go so far as to give the film a 1, because there are a few laughs to held, and because the film is trying to do something somewhat ambitious. I can't recommend it as any more of a curiosa worth owning to complete Suvari's trifecta of virginal roles with the word American in the title or as a film worth dissecting in a fit of boredom. It is truly sad that this couldn't be so much more.

DONT DO IT...Step away from the VCR...

I rented this movie because I was hoping to (honestly) =P see some action with Mena Suvari! Well, I was painfully disappointed!! The movie is not only poorly written and directed but the acting could probably be smelt three counties away during filming. Although I do like several of the actors, they were, by far, at their worst. The only moment in the entire movie that was worth the strain to focus your eyes, was when Joey, played by Bob Hoskins, was tied up, tortured, and "revived" by his wife. If you've seen it you know what I mean, if you haven't, it's not worth it!

If you still feel the need to see this movie, please rent it! (And make sure you rent at least one other title to watch after you turn this one off in the first 10 minutes.)

Hope this helps=)...

Let me correct one misunderstanding (if you have) on your side that this is a Mena Suvari film. No. It's stars are Robert Loggia ("Independence Day") and Bob Hoskins ("Monalisa"), and Mena plays the secondary role no matter what you see on the video jacket. The male players are adult film directors, and kind of rivals to each other. And daddy Robert finds her daughter Mena Suvari is going to 'star' in Bob's live-net show, in which Mena loses her virginity, sharing the experience on the net with audience wearing green-colored techno-suits which give the same sensation the lucky guy is going to have.... Oh dear.

But of course, this is a comedy, and actually I found little nudity (and none of Mena, thank Heaven), so guys, don't be mistaken. The film is totally devoid of humor, and the two veteran actors are only swearing dirty words in public, on TV, and whenever they get a chance, and the film seems to think it's funny. Mena's boyfriend is a crying mama's boy, and trying to do something to change her mind, always breaks something in an awkward way. But I never found a single moment even slightly funny during the course ... but remember, I am a Japanese, and that's because cultural diference. But I laughed lots of good and healthy laughs while watching "American Pie."

Probably, besides the dismally made sequel to "Carrie," this is a film Mena Suvari wants to forget. If you're a truly devoted fan of her, watch it.