AVS Discussions
Movie and TV Discussion => Movie reviews => Topic started by: David Vaughn on July 23, 2022, 07:46:43 PM
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(https://i.imgur.com/rqiSZHJ.jpg)
Studio: Criterion Collection
Release Date: July 5, 2022
Rating: R
Film: 3/5
Plot
With this debut feature, Sofia Coppola announced her singular vision, exploring the aesthetics of femininity while illuminating the interior lives of young women. An adaptation of Jeffrey Eugenides’s highly acclaimed first novel, The Virgin Suicides conjures the ineffable melancholy of teenage longing and ennui in its story of the suicides of the five Lisbon sisters, stifled by the rules of their overprotective religious parents—as told through the collective memory of a group of men who were boys at the time and still yearn to understand what happened.
My Thoughts
I missed this one when it hit theaters in the late 90s, but when the press release crossed my inbox, I was intrigued for a few reasons. First, to see Coppola’s first film, second to see another one of Kirsten Dunst’s early roles, and finally, to see the same from Josh Hartnett. First off, grab your Prozac for this one because spoiler alert—people die. Then again, they pretty much tell you that in the introduction to the film (narrated by Giovanni Ribisi), so it shouldn’t come as a surprise.
As a film, I found it to be a tad dull and even though the film is just over 90 minutes, it felt much longer than that because of its tepid pacing. The teen actors do a decent enough job in their roles, but it’s easy to see how Dunst and Hartnett went on to have successful careers because they are head and shoulders above their peers in the film. I did enjoy seeing James Woods and Kathleen Turner as the parents to the young girls, but I wouldn’t call their performances groundbreaking. The subject matter just didn’t appeal to me and knowing how it ends made me want to look away instead of lean in.
As usual, the presentation from Criterion is top-shelf. I have no complaints with the audio or the video what-so-ever. The soundtrack features some great music from the 1970s and the set design definitely transports you to the era.
Video 9.5/10
Audio 9.5/10 (TS-HD MA 5.1)
Special Features:
- New 4k digital restoration
- Interviews
- Making the Virgin Suicides
- Lick the Star
- Music Video
- Trailers
- An essay by novelist Megan Abbot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRPXQ3XcpKc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRPXQ3XcpKc)
Conclusion
While this isn’t a bad film, the subject matter is extremely depressing. With that being said, Coppola handles the situation with class and the performances by Dunst and Hartnett are worth watching at least once. Both have gone on to have respectable careers in Hollywood and I’m sure having this film on their resume helped them land future projects.
Reference Review System:
JVC DLA-RS2000 4K Ultra High-Definition Front Projector
(Calibrated with Portrait Displays CalMAN color calibration software & C6-HDR Meter from Portrait Displays)
Stewart Filmscreen - Firehawk 88” 16x9 Fixed Screen
Trinnov Altitude 16 Audio/Video Processor
ATI AT527NC Powering Bed Channels
ATI AT524NC Powering Atmos Speakers
Panasonic DP-UB820 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
System Controller: URC MX-990
M&K S-150 THX Ultra (R-C-L Speakers)
M&K SS-150 x4 (Surround Speakers)
Atlantic Technology IC6-OBA x 4 Overhead Speakers
SVS PC-Ultra Cylinder Subwoofer
HSU VTF-15H MK2 Subwoofer
M&K Sound X15+ Subwoofer
Dual JL Audio F-110 (stacked and treated as one sub)
Mini DSP HD controlling all subwoofers
Audioquest and Monoprice - Audio/Video/Speaker Cabling
PureAV PF60 Power Conditioner