The Virgin Suicides (Widescreen)

 

 

Create your own review

Having read Jeffrey Eugenides' The Virgin Suicides, easily one of the most remarkable, haunting novels ever written, I would have said it was impossible to adapt the story to film - and, to some degree, I would have been right. Still, this film adaptation does as fine as job as is humanly possible to bring the ethereal Lisbon girls and the boys obsessed with them and their tragedy to life. It's an excellent, convoluted movie that defies convention and embraces the mystery of the tragedy, but believe me when I say that anyone remotely interested in this movie simply must read the original novel. This movie offers just the first taste of a surreal and tragic story that haunts the reader as much as the suicides haunt the lives of the boys still trying to understand the mystery of the Lisbon girls they adored in ways they could never have put into words. The true magic of the story isn't the sequence of tragic events that unfold; it's the indescribable, impenetrable, unseen world the girls lived in.

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.

this is about the only film i have seen that has been made after the book, that was any good. sofia coppola did and excellent job of showing how tough the lisbon girls life was. she may have even bettered jeffrey eugenides book. this was a brilliant film, and kirsten dunst made a good lux.
there were a few slight changes from the book (in the book mary does not die when she puts her head in the oven, she survives for a few weeks afterward) but they did not make the film worse.
the story is very believeable and the actors all fit their characters extremely well. in england this film is classified 15, which i think is entirely suitable.
i can't wait until sofias latest film "lost in translation" comes out on video and dvd in the uk, as i am sure it will be as good.

The Virgin Suicides was recommended to me by someone who by all means should be dead right now. I don't understand how all these arty film school rejects can praise this movie so much. The only arty thing this "film" achieves is an entire new level of monotony. Even the music is boring in this movie. You'd have to shoot me with elephant tranq to get me to watch it for a second time.

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 213 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

 

1.0 out of 5 stars Very upsetting movie
When I saw that movie on video tape, I think it was very upsetting to see girls that suicidal. I did not like the movie anyhow. Read more

Published on Nov 19 2009 by Kevin Barton

4.0 out of 5 stars Sofia's freshmen project is to be commended
A lot viewer's know that Sofia Coppola is not much of a great actress, but she seems to have inherited some of her father's talents in this film. Read more

Published on Jun 28 2007 by Jenny J.J.I.

5.0 out of 5 stars THIS MOVIE IS AMAZING.
The virgin suicides truly is an amazing movie with a perfect soundtrack. The viewer really does fall in love with the lisbon girls. Read more

Published on Nov 4 2006 by Bonnie Lisbon

1.0 out of 5 stars I've never been a 13 year-old girl
In spite of my lack of qualifications--I'm a male and was 13 when Eisenhower lived in the White House--I would like to make a few comments about this movie. Read more

Published on July 17 2004 by T. L. Jacobs

5.0 out of 5 stars A sumptuous movie
Sofia Coppola brings the book magically to life in a thoroughly engaging movie. Coppola not only connects with the tragic Lisbon girls but with the 70's as well, giving the movie... Read more

Published on July 5 2004 by James Ferguson

2.0 out of 5 stars Needs to be more developed... little information
I think that the movie could have had a future with the story, but it was to wide. All that happens in it that is a little bit interesting is the suicides but even that the... Read more

Published on July 5 2004 by joe gole

3.0 out of 5 stars Better Than The Book
In this movie you see the lives of a family and friends go down the drain day by day. The Lisbon sisters/family seem to have it all until one of the sisters commits suicide. Read more

Published on Jun 13 2004 by A. Vegan

5.0 out of 5 stars Sophia Coppola: a brilliant and poetic filmmaker.
Subtle and powerful, the Virgin Suicides is like a visual poem of wishes and dreams colliding violently with a harsh reality. Read more

Published on Jun 11 2004 by Josh

5.0 out of 5 stars EMOTIONALLY CHARGED
The story of five sisters living in an oppressive household with
parents who believe they are doing everything right and have not
a clue how far off the mark they are... Read more

Published on Jun 7 2004 by Thomas D. Christianson

5.0 out of 5 stars Hauntingly Brilliant.
I love this movie.I don't know why,but for some reason I just do.
Sofia Coppola made her acting debut in "The Godfather Pt. Read more

Published on May 17 2004 by Joshua Miller

Search Customer Reviews
Only search this product's reviews

› See all 213 customer reviews on Amazon.ca

Search Listmania!