The Virgin Suicides (1999)

Directed By: Sofia Coppola

Starring: James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Kirsten Dunst, A.J. Cook, Josh Hartnett, Hanna Hall, Chelse Swain, Leslie Hayman, Danny DeVito and Jonathan Tucker

Genre: Drama

Rated: R

Based on the novel by Jeffrey Eugenides

The peaceful air of a 1970s suburb is shaken when, over the span of one year, five teenage sisters commit suicide. Thirteen-year-old Cecilia is the first to take her life, and the story follows the family through the eyes of the neighborhood boys as they deal with the aftermath.

I will be straight with you – when you’re done watching this film, you may say to yourself “What was the point?” The one thing many people dislike about this movie is the fact that it doesn’t give the viewers answers to the questions they have throughout the film. You’re left wondering what the film is trying to say. Some think its anti-religious fanaticism, some think its speaking out against intensely overprotective parents, and some see something much deeper. What you take away from it is entirely up to you.

The movie itself is a faithful adaptation of the novel. The characters are believable and all, in a way, are tragic. The girls and their parents, obviously due to the suicide – but also the boys who tell the story. They put these girls up on a pedestal and idolized them. To these boys, the Lisbon sisters – who seemed like normal girls to everyone else – were mysterious and goddess-like. They believe they love the Lisbon sisters and, when the girls kill themselves, the boys experience a loss of innocence the rest of the neighborhood cannot comprehend.

The film is very artfully done, told from the bystander’s perspective – we only get to know the Lisbon family, especially the girls, from what these boys experienced. The girls only stand out when they are with their peers and away from their parents – which is a rarity. Otherwise they almost fall into the background, as scenes with the parents are dominated – as with their lives – by the parents. Symbolism, like the tree infection and the suffocation motif, is littered throughout.

The cast did a great job with this. James Woods and Kathleen Turner are both easy to dislike and to pity as the overprotective parents of the girls. Kirsten Dunst is the main attraction as Lux Lisbon – the rebellious daughter who fights the rules and clearly embraces her sexuality. Aside from Cecilia, the other sisters pale in comparison because they are quiet and obedient. I believe this was intended. All performances by the girls were done well. Josh Hartnett plays the slightly rebellious football player who becomes infatuated with Lux. He’s the only one who gets close to the Lisbon girls, and he’s the one filled with regret after all is said and done.

Overall: An interesting film that leaves you with a few unanswered questions. It examines the way a tragic event affects a suburban town and the ripple effect touching those around the girls. Not recommended for those who like narrative closure – but both the film and the novel are worth looking into.

7.5/10