The Virgin Suicides

I was just scrolling through some forums earlier and saw someone mentioning that Sofia Coppola's daughter just released a new film, which immediately made me think back to The Virgin Suicides.
A few months ago, there was a screening at the local indie theater, but I couldn't make it because I had a massive exam the next morning—or at least, that's how I remember it—so I missed out on seeing it on the big screen.
The movie looks pretty interesting to me; it’s got a solid cast, including de Vito, Claire Danes, and Josh Hartnett... and naturally, I ended up listening to the Air soundtrack too.
For those of you who have seen it, what did you think?
If anyone happens to have a copy on Divx or VHS—since I don't own a DVD player—maybe we could work out a trade.

You can still find it on VHS or DVD in most video rental stores
Claire Danes isn't in it, though she has a brief cameo in one scene, but overall the movie is solid

I’ve been hunting for it myself without any luck. Which video rental shop—say, somewhere in New York City—would actually carry it?

Thomas Edwards82 said:I’ve been hunting for it everywhere and coming up empty. Does any video rental shop (say, in New York City) actually carry it?

honestly, same here, I'm dying to find it too

Well, I actually borrowed mine from a D&V rental shop in the city area.
I think they have one video store over in Manhattan and another one out by Brooklyn where I picked mine up, but they operate several locations. If you ask nicely, they'll usually bring a title over from one branch to another if they have it in stock.

I actually loved this movie... It’s just one of those small, low-key, honest films. Even though it tackles such heavy themes, it never feels forced or exhausting. Honestly, it feels more like a hazy childhood memory—one of those stories where you can never quite piece all the fragments together perfectly.
Can't wait for the next Sofia Coppola project...
p.s. Kirsten Dunst is way better than Claire Danes🙂

The Virgin Suicides is honestly pathetic—it’s just sitting there in a corner, gathering dust. Sure, it works fine enough as a backdrop for a movie, but as a standalone piece of art? It is incredibly tedious. The cinematography is stunning, and the girls are beautiful, and maybe the story could have actually gone somewhere interesting, but... everything just feels hollow and superficial—borderline pretentious. I watched the film shortly after its release, so the specific details are a bit fuzzy now, but I vividly remember that lingering sense of confusion it left me with. Coppola starts things up and then just refuses to finish them—probably intentionally—but it doesn't come across as some stroke of genius. It just feels unfinished. That said, it is absolutely worth a watch.

I don't know where you're seeing all that pretentiousness in this movie, but okay...🙄

Christian Sanchez44 said:the soundtrack is a disaster; it’s just sitting in a corner gathering dust. Sure, it works fine enough as background noise for the movie, but as a standalone piece? It’s honestly mind-numbingly boring. [/B]

I can't say I agree with that.
even without actually sitting down to watch the film, I still think that soundtrack is one of the best out there, both as its own album and as a score.
if I'm wrong, feel free to check out those lists of the best picks by IMF analysts over on Rolling Stone.

Sure, the music is fine, but strictly as a backdrop for that movie—that’s where it actually finds its purpose. Maybe it just comes down to musical taste, and honestly, you can't really argue with that! 😉 Regardless, compared to their other albums, this one feels monotonous; it flows, sure, but there's zero variation...
To some people, Lisa Germano is pure despair, but to me? She's perfect.

Pretentious? Look, in a way, yeah... there are plenty of beautiful shots, like I said, but they don't actually say anything. That tendency to stifle a message in favor of "artistry" is baked right into the concept. I'm not docking points from the film's quality—not at all. I liked the movie, but liking it doesn't mean I think it's realistic or objectively "good." Besides, what counts as pretentious to you, Jose Miller17, might be different for me... respect! 🙂

To me, pretentiousness is just noise... but I actually liked this movie because it didn't feel like Sofia Coppola was trying to make some grand statement about life or explain things we're too dim to figure out ourselves..
It’s actually the opposite. The film feels like a snapshot from childhood. No preaching, no deep philosophy, no big epiphanies. Just the realization that even though we think everything can be explained logically, that isn't always true. It’s not like the parents were monsters or the girls were walking tragedies. To me, the key is that scene where they read the diary, expecting to find some massive motive for the first girl's suicide, when it really just boils down to everyday nonsense... lunch, school, dinner...
No matter how close they were, how many diaries they read, or how many photos they looked at... there isn't always a rational answer for everything...
..but I guess we get each other anyway😘

Finally watched it last night and I’m floored. Who would've thought I'd actually agree with Jose Miller17? 😉
I don't have the time to write a full-blown review, but it's been ages since I've seen a movie this perfectly balanced. Everyone involved basically delivered their career-best performances. Etc, etc...

👍 9/10. Giving a 9 because I'm not sure I'd ever give any movie a perfect 10. If I did, I'd probably walk it back within three years. bin der, dan det.

All I’ve ever heard anything about is that Air soundtrack.

Paul Davis51 said:I've only ever heard about the Air soundtrack

fair enough...

Yeah, Air is a solid band! 👍

Paul Davis51 said:Yeah, Air is a great band! 👍

The movie itself is just bad.👎It didn't quite land the way the director intended... at least not for me.
I've heard plenty of praise for this one, but personally, it’s nothing I’ll be remembering anytime soon.

Larry Torres4 said:The movie just sucks👎It didn't really hit what the director was going for... at least not for me..
I mean, I heard everyone raving about it, but personally, it wasn't anything special..

excuse me, but what exactly is your taste😕

This movie definitely isn't bad! 😠
It’s one of my absolute favorite themes to explore, and it always brings to mind King's books, like Carrie, IT, or Stay with me. You don't see many creators who really dive into the nuances of being a teenager and that whole process of growing up, whether it's in film or literature.
That touch of pretentiousness can be a bit much for me too (which is honestly why I get so annoyed with Lost in Translation 🤮), but hey, you can't really argue with it when she's Coppola 🙄
The best part about this one is how it just wraps you up in that specific atmosphere and refuses to let go. I actually found myself watching it for the fourth time just yesterday! 😍

Jerry Martin19 said:Excuse me, but what exactly is your problem?😕

Well, this definitely wasn't for me.👎
The movie was supposed to be shocking or something, but it just felt like one more entry in a long line of teenage dramas (being slow and boring isn't the same thing as being shocking and provocative)...
It’s pretty cinematography that ultimately goes nowhere (similar to Lost in Translation), the symbolism is a bit too on the nose, and the boys' dialogue—especially toward the end—sounds incredibly cheesy (they say the book is much better, too).
I think the film achieved cult status more because of Sofia Coppola and the casting, specifically Kathleen Turner👍... overall, I didn't like it.

Larry Torres4 said:This definitely wasn't👎
The movie was supposed to be shocking or something, but it just felt like another one of those teenage dramas (slow and boring isn't the same thing as being shocking and provocative)...
Pretty cinematography that doesn't actually go anywhere (kind of like Lost in Translation), the symbolism is a bit too on the nose, and the boys' dialogue (especially at the end) sounds super cheesy (people say the book is way better)..
I think the movie reached cult status mostly because of Sofia Coppola and the casting (Kathleen Turner👍 )... overall, I didn't really dig it..

Look, I'm not gonna argue about taste, but even if it's just a basic teen drama🙂, it's got such a specific vibe, the shots🙏, and the casting is top-tier—even Josh Hartnett👍... I just don't get it😕...