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The Virgin Suicides (1999)

The Virgin Suicides (1999)
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A dark comedy punctuated by moments of drama, The Virgin Suicides explores the emotional underpinnings of a family starting to come apart at the seams in 1970's Midwestern America. The Lisbons seem like an ordinary enough family; Father (James Woods) teaches math at a high school in Michigan, Mother (Kathleen Turner) has a strong religious faith, and they have five teenage daughters, ranging from 13-year-old Cecilia (Hannah Hall) to 17-year-old Therese (Leslie Hayman). However, the Lisbon family's sense of normalcy is shattered when Cecilia falls into a deep depression and attempts suicide. The family is shaken and Mother and Father seek the advice of psychiatrist Dr. Hornicker (Danny DeVito), who suggests the girls should be allowed to socialize more with boys. However, boys soon become a serious problem for Cecilia's sister Lux (Kirsten Dunst). Lux has attracted the eye of a high-school Romeo named Trip (Josh Hartnett), who assures Father of his good intentions. But Cecilia finally makes good on her decision to kill herself, throwing the Lisbons into a panic; and after attending a school dance, Trip seduces and then abandons Lux. The Lisbons pull their daughters out of school, as an emotionally frayed Mother keeps close watch over them. Meanwhile, Lux continues to attract the attentions of the local boys, and she responds with a series of clandestine sexual episodes with random partners as often as she can sneak out of the house. The debut feature from Sofia Coppola (whose father, Francis Ford Coppola, co-produced this film), The Virgin Suicides also features supporting performances from Scott Glenn and Giovanni Ribisi. The film was shown as part of the Directors Fortnight series as the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Starring:
Kirsten DunstJames Woods, (more)
Director(s):
Sofia Coppola
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R
Format(s):
DVD  | Digital SD
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Synopsis of The Virgin Suicides

A dark comedy punctuated by moments of drama, The Virgin Suicides explores the emotional underpinnings of a family starting to come apart at the seams in 1970's Midwestern America. The Lisbons seem like an ordinary enough family; Father (James Woods) teaches math at a high school in Michigan, Mother (Kathleen Turner) has a strong religious faith, and they have five teenage daughters, ranging from 13-year-old Cecilia (Hannah Hall) to 17-year-old Therese (Leslie Hayman). However, the Lisbon family's sense of normalcy is shattered when Cecilia falls into a deep depression and attempts suicide. The family is shaken and Mother and Father seek the advice of psychiatrist Dr. Hornicker (Danny DeVito), who suggests the girls should be allowed to socialize more with boys. However, boys soon become a serious problem for Cecilia's sister Lux (Kirsten Dunst). Lux has attracted the eye of a high-school Romeo named Trip (Josh Hartnett), who assures Father of his good intentions. But Cecilia finally makes good on her decision to kill herself, throwing the Lisbons into a panic; and after attending a school dance, Trip seduces and then abandons Lux. The Lisbons pull their daughters out of school, as an emotionally frayed Mother keeps close watch over them. Meanwhile, Lux continues to attract the attentions of the local boys, and she responds with a series of clandestine sexual episodes with random partners as often as she can sneak out of the house. The debut feature from Sofia Coppola (whose father, Francis Ford Coppola, co-produced this film), The Virgin Suicides also features supporting performances from Scott Glenn and Giovanni Ribisi. The film was shown as part of the Directors Fortnight series as the 1999 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
96 mins

Complete Cast of The Virgin Suicides


Director(s):
Sofia Coppola
Writer(s):
Sofia Coppola
Producer(s):
Chris HanleyJulie CostanzoFrancis Ford Coppola
Theatrical MPAA Rating:
R(Adult Situations, Sexual Situations, Not For Children)
Categories:
Independent Films
Warning:  This product is intended for mature audiences only. It may contain violence, sexual content, drug abuse and/or strong language. You must be 17 or older to purchase it. By ordering this item you are certifying that you are at least 17 years of age.

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Member Reviews
 
Pamela M.

I missed this film when it first came out and I am so glad that I've finally caught up with it. Based on the novel by Jeffrey Eugenides (who also wrote Middlesex), the screenplay is by Sofia Coppola and this is also her directorial debut. She brings a light touch and a dream-like quality to this strange and disturbing story. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I was "affected" by this film, which is really what makes a film a good film, whether it's a drama, a romance or a comedy. A must-see.

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Dawn S.

the book was well written and this movie hasn't gotten much publicity so i figured "probably another bad book made to movie" but i rented it anyway. i was suprized. it was good and i adored it.

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Andrea P.

"The Virgin Suicides" is an inventive and twisted coming-of-age film, of sorts -- very well acted, with moments of dark humor and an excellent soundtrack. The outcome, as one would naturally expect from its theme, is depressing; so, be forewarned. One comes away wondering, "Why?" and "If only...". The contrast between the suicides and the beauty of the upper-class neighborhood and of the teenage girls themselves, and between the girls' sunny faces and their sad demise, is startling and serves to enhance the regret that a viewer feels at the loss of these young lives. This is what makes the film so powerful. The callous remark of one adult partygoer towards the end of the film cuts to the core. What is life, especially teenage life, if not drama? (For that matter, what is art...?) Cut to the reaction of the news reporter, who manages to trivialize the suicide of young Cecilia in the very act of sensationalizing it. What a modern, electronic-age approach to a serious problem.

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