The Virgin Suicides

Rated [R], 97 minutes
Starring Kathleen Turner, James Woods, Kirsten Dunst
Based on the novel by Jeffrey Eugenides
Screenplay and Directed by Sofia Coppola
website: www.virginsuicides.com

Set in the mid-seventies, the plot follows the Lisbon family, with James Woods, a physics teacher at the local high school, as the scatter brained father, and Kathleen Turner as the uncommonly strict mother. Their five daughters are beautiful, naturally blonde, and the desire of every boy in the neighbourhood. When the youngest, Cecilia, mysteriously attempts suicide, psychiatrist Danny DeVito recommends that she be allowed to interact more socially, especially with boys. So the Lisbon girls are introduced to the boys of the neighbourhood, who have already been watching the girls from afar through half-opened window shades, binoculars, and telescopes. At a party in Cecilia's honour, the boys witness a tragedy that shocks them out of their wits. As a result, the Lisbons fall into a deep suppression shutting out the rest of the world by retreating into their own inner sanctum. It appears they will never recover until Trip Fontaine (Josh Hartnett), the high school heartthrob, pursues the unattainable Lux (Kirsten Dunst). He attempts to ask her to the prom, but the only way her mother will allow him to take Lux is if all the girls go together. For the first time, the girls will venture out of the home to interact socially in an environment other than school.

While Sofia Coppola may be, regrettably, still best known as the inexperienced co-star of her dad's Godfather III, it's an accomplished filmmaker, which is beginning to arrest our attention. Here, it is clear that she has learned much from her legendary father, and her adaptation of Jeffrey Eugenides' acclaimed novel, is a sublime and delicate piece of cinema on every level. As a comment on the seventies, Coppola has made a movie, which is subtle and succinct, rather than labouring the period aspects of the movie on us, as so many have in the past. On this level, it's close to something akin to The Ice Storm, another film set in a similar period dealing with dysfunctional family. The approach to Suicides, in many ways a more satisfying piece of narrative cinema, is darkly comic in tone and sense of character, yet still remains a focussed drama dealing with conservative American society, coming to terms with post-sixties morality.

The movie is beautifully and richly textured, due to the stunning cinematography of Edward Lachman, whose lensing evokes the outer tranquillity of seventies suburbia, and his use of lighting is beautifully effective. Coppola has cast her film with utter perfection, and many against type. Delivering an illuminating and incomparable performance is the splendid James Woods. Cast here against type as a shy physics teacher, Woods proves how formidable an actor he is. Not that he needs to prove anything, but by playing a character of such quiet introspection, he delivers one of the most subtle and remarkable performances of his career. As the beautiful, wistful, eldest daughter, Kirsten Dunst also displays her versatility and remarkable talent. She also photographs exquisitely. Star-on-the-rise Josh Hartnett makes a compelling Trip, and Kathleen Turner excels as the girls' over-protective mother.

Featuring an evocative period soundtrack, the film is exceptionally crafted and perfectly paced under the direction of Coppola, who has a clear sense of vision, as well as character and linear narrative. The Virgin Suicides is a highly accomplished and superb film, laced with humour and an unfailing sense of detail and honesty. It's a movie that remains true to itself, and one that shows off some immeasurable talent along the way.

Paul Fischer's CrankyCritic® StarTalk with James Woods

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The Cranky Critic® is a Registered Trademark of, and his website is Copyright © 1995-2008 by, Chuck Schwartz. Articles by Paul Fischer Copyright © 1999 - 2006 Paul Fischer. All images, unless otherwise noted, are property of,©, ®, T their respective studios and are used by permission. All Rights Reserved. Not to be used or copied for any commercial purpose. Academy AwardT(s) and Oscar®(s) are registered trademarks and service marks of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

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