Screen_Blitz Sofia Coppola, daughter of Hollywood titan Francis Ford Coppola, attempts on making a striking comeback after her poorly received portrayal on the third chapter of her father's 'Godfather' trilogy. It is safe to say that the former actress may have a more promising future behind the camera than in front. That is where an enchanting adaptation of Jeffrey Eugenides's novel of the same name comes into play. This teen drama, tackling on teens exploring underage sexuality and testing social boundaries beyond the incarceration of their strictly conservative household, defies against the typical light-hearted conventions known for teen-oriented films such as The John Hughes classics or screwball comedies like 'American Pie', in favor of a slightly more mature look at adolescents' coming of age. The story at hand focuses on the tragedy that ensues among teens who fail to make sense of a world in which they are never understood and instead viewed as puzzles with missing pieces. Set in 1974 in a woodsy town in Michigan, this film tells the story focuses on the life of five mysterious teen sisters of the names Cecelia, 13 (played by Hanna Hall), Lux (played by Kirsten Dunst), 14, Bonnie (played by Chelsea Swain), 15, Mary (played by A.J. Cook), 16, and Therese (played by Leslie Hayman), 17. These five girls are tightly sheltered by their strict religious parents (played by James Woods and Kathleen Turner), and as a result, lacking of social life beyond the confinement of their home. Their mysterious lifestyle gains the attention of a group of neighborhood boys who fantasy about them day-by-day. However, it is a lifestyle that drives Cecelia into depression, eventually leading to her suicide. Her death ignites a rebellion in her sisters, particularly Lux, who began to explore social boundaries including dating, sex, and staying out past curfew with tragic consequences. Who are these girls? What is the psychological nature surrounding these girls? These are questions that become the crux of the story as it explores the mystery surrounding the overprotective life of these five sisters. Their parents have sheltered them on such a short leash, and it is only a wonder of how this mysterious lifestyle has brought upon them. Although the girls are the core subjects of this tale, the story is told largely from the perspective of the neighborhood boys who expense their curiosity on what goes on behind the closed doors in a way that's lustful. Another mystery is evolved when the youngest sister Cecelia commits suicide, marking the turning point of the story. That is when the story ignites with powerful interest. As these girls began exploring into teen dating and sexuality, there is a sense of melancholy revolving around the relationship Lux develops with high school heartthrob Tripp Fontaine (played by Josh Harnett) and the consequences that ensue, leaving the sisters stripped away from their life in the social circle. Although Coppola's direction stumbles with providing a strong emotional core, she proves capable to keeping the story moving as it builds up to its predictably tragic ending, one that wraps the story in a sense of mystery and uncertainty not just for us but for the characters as well. Sure, there are occasional burst of humors injected throughout the story, but perhaps not enough that will viewers without a feeling heaviness. As for the cast, which is built up of mainly solid actors with little to a moderate amount of credits under their belts, everyone hits the right notes. There are definitely no performances that shout out for an Oscar. Regardless, this cast shows they have what it takes to tackle on such a tragic story. Virgin Suicides is an example of a directorial debut gone right thanks to Sofia Coppola and her unseen talent on tackling on mature subject matter with only small flaws at hand. This is not your average teen drama that will leave viewers uplifted, but one that will leave gripped with an important message about how everyone has a mystery surrounding them, big or small. Some people come and go without you getting the know the true person they are.

Johan Dondokambey The movie brought high school movie sub-genre to a weird spot as it places the high school life backgrounds and all the complexities surrounding it facing the contrast element of death and loss and coping with them. The movie goes curiously with it's opening and builds its story casually after-wards. The time frame background permits the story to exhibit cultural practices that may be deemed strange by people nowadays. Yet these weird practices gives a great way for the story to development into it's unpredictable ending. The acting overall is surprisingly good. James Woods and Kathleen Turner did their parts well in acting out as the parents. This movie sure was a showcase to display then young talents such as Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett, Hayden Christensen and even Leslie Hayman. Cameos and smaller parts by Michael Pare and Danny DeVito nicely add some flavor to the movie as a whole.

JÄnis Locis A beautifully depressing and sad movie about 5 sisters, who ended their lives at a very young age. The movie has an interesting way of telling a story, the story is told by the boys who loved the girls, but unfortunately the movie feels kind of cold. It is very hard to emotionally engage in the movie, since you never really get any real and emotional character interaction, it never really showed any of the girls communicating with one another.Just 2 of the sisters had their time under the spotlight, for most of the movie, and that, in my opinion, destroyed the real lust and emotions the movie could have had. I wanted to see more character engagement in the film, i get that the idea was to make you feel sad and emotional via the lenghty sad fragments of the girls dieing of boredom, being oppressed by their religious parents, but at least they could have made them talk with each other.When you look at the movie as a whole, it was a really good movie, but then, when you start thinking about some of the details, which i mentioned above, the movie kind of loses its charm and just seems blatant and plain, so it is better to just enjoy it, without trying to figure out the details and flaws of the film.

SnoopyStyle 25 years ago in an affluent Detroit suburb, math teacher Ronald Lisbon (James Woods) and his wife (Kathleen Turner) have five beautiful girls. The neighborhood boys led by Tim Winer are all fascinated by them. The youngest Cecilia (Hanna Hall) tries to kill herself. Psychiatrist Dr. Horniker (Danny DeVito) tells the strict parents to let the girls interact with boys. They throw a party for the girls but Cecilia throws herself out the window impaling on the iron fence spikes. Father Moody (Scott Glenn) tries to comfort the family. Cecilia haunts everybody. Lux Lisbon (Kirsten Dunst) is the most outgoing and catches the eye of hunky Trip Fontaine (Josh Hartnett). Lux and the sisters Mary (A.J. Cook), Therese (Leslie Hayman) and Bonnie (Chelse Swain) would always hang out together. After a night out, the girls are kept inside with little outside contact.Sofia Coppola brings a floating sad mysterious moodiness to the movie. She creates an unique dreamy vibe. The girls are fascinating but like the neighborhood boys, they remain a mystery throughout the movie to me. They feel like something imaginary that one can't get a hold of. That is very fascinating but after awhile, it's also very tiresome. We are forever outsiders looking in. I love the music, the mood and the style but I still want more.