 |
|
|
| The Virgin Suicides |
 enlarge
|
List Price: $9.98
Buy New: $4.68
You Save: $5.30 (53%)
Buy New/Used/Collectible from $4.68
Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 260 reviews)
Sales Rank: 1002
Category: DVD
Publisher: Paramount
Studio: Paramount
Manufacturer: Paramount
Label: Paramount
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, Widescreen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), French (Original Language), English (Subtitled), English (Dubbed), French (Dubbed)
Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 96 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.5 x 5.3 x 0.5
ISBN: 0792166825
UPC: 097363381747
EAN: 0097363381747
ASIN: B00003CXH1
Release Date: December 19, 2000
Theatrical Release Date: November 30, 1998
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
|
|
Similar Items:
| " |
The Dreamers (Original Uncut NC-17 Version) |
| " |
Bottle Rocket |
| " |
Lost In Translation (Widescreen Edition) |
| " |
Paris, Texas |
| " |
American Beauty |
|
|
Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
Previously criticized for her marginal acting skills, Sofia Coppola made her directorial debut with The Virgin Suicides and silenced her detractors. No amount of coaching from her director father (Francis Coppola) or husband (Spike Jonze) could have guaranteed a film this assured, and in adapting Jeffrey Eugenides's novel, Coppola demonstrates the sensitivity and emotional depth that this material demands. Surely the pain of youth and public criticism found its way into her directorial voice; in the story of four sisters who self-destruct under the steady erosion of their youthful ideals, one can clearly sense Coppola's intimate connection to the inner lives of her characters.
Played in a delicate minor key, the film is heartbreaking, mysterious, and soulfully funny, set in a Michigan suburb of the mid-1970s but timeless and universal to anyone who's been a teenager. The four surviving Lisbon sisters lost a sibling to suicide, and as its title suggests, the film will chart their mutual course to oblivion under the vigilance of repressive parents (Kathleen Turner and James Woods, perfectly cast). But The Virgin Suicides is more concerned with life in that precious interlude of adolescence, when the Lisbon girls are worshipped by the neighborhood boys, their notion of perfection epitomized by Lux (Kirsten Dunst) and her storybook love for high-school stud Trip (Josh Hartnett). Unfolding at the cusp of innocence and sexual awakening, and recalled as a memory, The Virgin Suicides is, ultimately, about the preservation of the Lisbon sisters by their own deaths--suspended in time, polished to perfection, and forever untainted by adulthood. --Jeff Shannon
|
|
Customer Reviews: Read 255 more reviews...
 Depressing and unrealistic. June 13, 2006
0 out of 3 found this review helpful
The Virgin Suicides starring Kristen Dunst, Josh Hartnett, Kathleen Turner and James Woods lacks depth and a convincing storyline. This film is directed by Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation), I really tried to like this movie but I was fooling myself, you would think this movie would be a hidden gem because of the Coppola legacy but just because your father is Frances Ford Coppola doesn't mean you belong in the same category as best director of all-time. Sometimes magic does not stirke twice. How can all five sisters end up killing themselves, their homelife wasn't that unbearable, a lot of parents are religious, but that doesn't mean you'll wind up with thoughts of impending suicide. Kristen Dunst just gets on my nerves, her acting is the same in every film. Don't believe the hype, The Virgin Suicides is not a groundbreaking, poetic film.
 What We Have Here Is A Dreamer. June 11, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
Sofia Coppola's 1999 film, The Virgin Suicides, does not only signify Coppola's directorial debut but her departure from, father, Francis Ford Coppola's shadow, though he did produce it. Adapted from Jeffrey Eugenides' novel of the same name, Coppola's picture remains reasonably faithful and gained constructive criticism upon its release.
I ought to begin by stating that for a debut, Coppola does exceptionally well. Despite a methodic pace and some weak character development, most prominent in the neighborhood boys, plaguing the film; I cannot deny that The Virgin Suicides has an immense number of strengths. An evocative atmosphere is created early on, and the lingering notion of the destruction of youth holds the viewer watching until the credits roll. Though Coppola offers no resolution, it could be that the entire movie is meant to be, just as the tagline reads, a mystery. Mysteries are better left just that, for with an explanation they may be a lot less stimulating.
Often more acclaimed than any other aspect of the picture, Coppola's visually style makes The Virgin Suicides. The ambiguous use of minute scenes with obscure strands of dialogue produces an eerily striking and fragile atmosphere worth feeling. Coppola's collaboration with, electronic band, Air only expands this sense of a mystified universe. Heart, Styx, Todd Rundgren, and Carole King are all prominently included in the fantastic period soundtrack as well.
The entire cast presents impressive results. Whether it is the "blind" James Wood or repressive Kathleen Turner, both are excellent as Mr. & Mrs. Lisbon. Each Lisbon girl is rightly casted, but it is Kirsten Dunst's enchanting portrayal of Lux that remains renowned among the others. Hartnett, Cook, and DeVito are just a few of the others that give a strong performance.
Overall, The Virgin Suicides has notable flaws but is undeniably hypnotic.
 Pretty remarkable debut May 29, 2006
Whenever people hear of Sofia Coppola they think of 2 things: her much-maligned performance in Godfather III, and her famous dad Francis Ford Coppola, director of the Godfather films and Apocalpyse Now. The latter is particular fodder for nepotism remarks, although it's not as if her dad has made some stellar movies lately. "Jack" anyone? Well this film and her next film Lost in Translation should tip the scale on her favor as she's quite perfect for this kind of material.
The 5 Lisbon Sisters live extremely sheltered lives thanks to their over-protective parents, in particular their mother. After one of them commits suicide, a boy starts liking one of them prompting to bring some friends to meet the rest. An infatuation develops and pretty soon they start getting into something that when it's over, they still don't know how to make sense of it.
One of the things that can sometimes happen with a film like this is that in order to explain the story, certain characters moments have to be dropped or just never filmed. While I'm certainly not faulting the film, we're never really invested enough into each girl and who they are. In fact I couldn't actually name them until someone in the film actually did. It's not that big of a knock but it's one thing I noticed.
Performance-wise it's pretty solid across the board, including Kirsten Dunst and another against-type role for James Woods. Usually very manic, he's quite sedate here which is quite perfect for the dad. There's also the almost unrecognizable Kathleen Turner as the very strict mother and even a quick scene with Danny DeVito and Giovanni Ribisi as the narrator.
The DVD definately needs a special edition even though what else could there be to add besides a making-of, deleted scenes and a commentary? Than again Lost in Translation seemed kinda sparse. A commentary on this disc from anyone would've been great, even Francis would've done a great one a kind of critique/overview on his daughter's first film. I mean this guy did do Godfather, surely he could've given a professional's review of this?
It's hard to say which film's better but this film is quite a good one regardless and proof that one really bad performance doesn't make everything else terrible.
Very Depressing Tale May 26, 2006
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
The title of this movie holds no secrets. The Virgin suicides may have its up and downs throughout the movie but the whole time the viewer is left with an impending sense of doom. Almost every aspect of this movie is fantastic, between the acting and a great story line, but this movie is truly dramatic in that it will no doubt influence your emotions.
One of the greatest films of our generation May 22, 2006
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I have seen this film many a time, and everytime I am blown away by the weight it carries. As Sophia Coppola's brilliant debut film 'The Virgin Suicides' feels so raw, yet purposfully so, you'd swear this was far from a first feature. The subject, as haunting as it is, is approached with such care and caution that your drawn in rather than repelled. The film follows the Lisbon sisters as charted out in the book written by Jeffrey Eugenides which serves as the inspiration for the marvelous script. The Lisbon sister live under the house of their overbearing parents (played brilliantly by Kathleen Turner and James Woods) and when their youngest sibling commits suicide during her birthday the parents, instead of loosening their fatal grip, pull in the reins further and set their remaining four girls on the same pathway of self destruction. Each girl reacts to the situation differently, none with such defiance as Lux (the brilliant Kirsten Dunst who deserved an oscar nod SOOOO much for this!) who tramps around on rooftops with boy after boy, including school hunk Trip (Josh Hartnett). As the film delicatly follows the remainder of their lives the audience is left speachless as events unfold, and the chilling conclusion is enough to silence masses. The film is told through the eyes of the neighboring boys who worship the Lisbon girls as one worships what is unattainable (why is that) and so the film takes on that sense of wonderment in it's approach and thus leaves the audience longing for justice in these young girls lives. A brillaint and breathtaking adaptation thanks to a wonderful script, superb acting and fabulous direction. Sophia Coppola is sure to gain acadamy recognition very soon if she stays on the same path.
|
|
|
Copyright Runningonkarma.com 2006
|
|
|
