The Virgin Suicides [DVD] [2000]

The novel tells the story from the outside looking in, through the eyes of the neighborhood boys who obsessed over the Lisbon girls, dreamed about them, and sought some form of access to their haunting inner world. The girls themselves were ethereal creatures spotted only sporadically, surreal ghosts of the lively, vibrant girls they should have been. A movie could never recreate such an abstract viewpoint - the only possible way to do it is to take us into the Lisbon house from the very start. We see what takes places within those walls, watch the interactions of the girls with their parents and one another, and that obviously takes away from some of the mystery inherent in the novel. Even still, we don't get to know the girls as well as we do in the novel. Only two stand out - Constance and Lux, while the other three are simply there, impossible to call by name or recognize by individual nature. That's the main weakness of this otherwise fine adaptation. There's a rushed sort of feeling to the story, and we really needed more time to know and understand Bonnie, Mary, and Therese.

Kirsten Dunst was a perfect choice to play the sensual free spirit that is Lux, while Hanna R. Hall is wonderful as the enigmatic Cecilia, the real lynchpin for the entire story. The film, quickly launching into the traumatic events of the story, doesn't really give us enough time to really see who Cecilia is, and that robs it of some of its heart-touching power, I'm afraid. James Woods plays the subdued role of Mr. Lisbon brilliantly, but Kathleen Turner just never really seemed to capture Mrs. Lisbon successfully enough for me. Then there's Josh Hartnett - not my favorite actor - in full 70s regalia. His character is an important link to Lux, but I think he gets too much time in the movie, to the point that it takes away from the true vision of the other boys' obsession with the girls. The conclusion, on the other hand, feels much too rushed. It's a dark and shocking scene that almost seems to happen in slow motion in the novel, but in the film it all happens so fast that you don't really have sufficient time to digest it. None of these things are a problem for those familiar with Eugenides' novel, but viewers who haven't read the book just won't get the full effect of the tragedy, I'm afraid.

In corners of second hand video shops are scores of videos that although Critically acclaimed, and coveted by Hardened film collectors. They lay largely undiscovered by most of the general public and if, The Virgin Suicides a directorial debut from Sophia Coppola, shares this fate it will be one of the greatest travesties in film making history.

Beautifully directed, this film relies on narration in the same way as Stand By Me and American Beauty and far from being a distraction the dialogue enhances and enriches the visuals.
The Story is set in typical American Suburban neighbourhood. In particular it focuses on the tragic circumstances surrounding the Suicides of five sisters, as seen through the eyes of the boys who live opposite. Oppressed by an over protective mother (Turner) and understandably affected by the suicide of 13 year old sister Cecilia (Hanna Hall) the Lisbon girls future is almost certainly sealed when, Lux (Kirsten Dunst) has an ill fated one night stand with High school heartthrob Trip Fontaine. As a result Mrs Lisbon locks the girls up behind closed doors, which leads to their tragic, yet inevitable deaths. The casting is spot on with excellent supporting roles from the ever-dependable James Woods playing the apologetic father and high School teacher,'Mr Lisbon' and in Mrs Lisbon Coppola has almost rediscovered Kathleen Turner who stars as the sometimes-neurotic mother of the tragic girls, in one of her finest roles since The War Of The Roses.
This Film is a modern Classic, adapted sensitively, from Jeffrey Eugenides novel, and is almost Shakespearean in its delivery. Although largely unnoticed as an actress, Sophia Coppola has found her niche in directing and could go on to be as renowned as her father the great Francis Ford Coppola.