This film gets away with an aggressive mix of humor and completely serious dark subject matter by being hyper-stylized. It's an odd film, and Sofia Coppola's directorial debut. Adolescent awkwardness, societal constraints, repression, and tragic consequences...
Set in the idyllic suburban landscape of 1970s middle America, the enigmatic Lisbon sisters are five beautiful girls whose lives are shrouded in secrecy. A group of boys sort of collectively narrate the tale. They are both fascinated, frustrated and more than a little afraid when it comes to the Lisbon sisters. Most of the film is actually a flash back as the boys' future selves struggle to unravel the sisters' ultimate fate (which is in the title).
"The Virgin Suicides" is a dreamy, nostalgic film capturing the cringe of the 1970s. The film's soundtrack enhances its dreamlike quality as the psychological complexities of adolescence are served in healing portions. The Lisbon sisters are portrayed as both innocent and worldly, fragile and defiant. Their overly protective parents, while well-intentioned, are ultimately unable to understand their daughters' desires and frustrations.
Notable performances by Kirsten Dunst as the oldest of the sisters, the anchor of the group. And James Woods is their father, and math teacher.
No comments:
Post a Comment