Rating: 
Summary: what's with the one-star reviews?!?
Review: I don't understand the one-star reviews. How can you not be at least partially be captured by this movie, unless you somehow skipped your adolescence entirely?I think there is a real essence of the craziness of adolescence here, but portrayed tenderly rather than an "American Pie" style. The four Lisbon sisters, beautiful and quietly intense, would be an obsession in any small community. The neighborhood boys find them to be utterly fascinating, especially because they are so sheltered by their Catholic parents (great performances by James Woods and Kathleen Turner). The movie is heartfelt without being overly depressing, although the girls do go through some serious issues here. I think it is an excellent look at what my friend calls "Catholic guilt," although I think there's a better, more universal term for what goes on. The lesson is that you can't grow as a person if you are so protected. I see a lot of my overprotected friends (and maybe a smidgen of me) in the Lisbon girls. That teenage rebellion can be so much more devestating if children aren't allowed to live and learn on their own. A quick comment also on an aesthetic quality of the movie. It takes place in the 1970s, and it is filmed a little faded, a little yellow, perhaps like a 20-year-old photograph or a worn postcard. I don't know if some people may find it distracting, but I found it to be a pleasently powerful aspect of the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Stick with the Book!
Review: This movie has to rank as one of the worst book-adapted movies of all time!! The movie utterly lacked the insight, the depth and most of all the continuity of the wonderfully written book. There is absolutely zero development of characters, no poignancy present in the book, no urgency and no sympathy. Furthermore, the movie is, simply put, so tedious I almost fell asleep. Here is a telling point: I had NO clue what was going on in the movie and I read the book!! A friend with whom I watched it was supremely lost from the word, GO. She had no chance. Do yourself a favor. Read the book and stay away from the movie. Sophia Coppola's debut, I'm sad to say, matched her unrivaled performance in the Godfather 3 and anyone who saw that movie knows her performance all but ruined the entire movie. Sorry girl but leave the movie-making to your father.
Rating: 
Summary: Stunning Film
Review: I have no idea what some of the below reviews are talking about. Worst film ever? What? Are you stupid? This is a very good movie, in fact one of the best I saw all year. I was pleasently surprised at the depth of the performances (Dunst and Woods are standouts) and the striking visuals. The score by Air was a perfect compliment. A very good film, but I guess its not for the Die Hard With a Vengance set, i.e. it's intelligent. Check it out.
Rating:
Summary: Awful on SO many levels
Review: This is one of the worst films I have ever seen. I can only surmise that the reviewers who liked it read the book first, allowing them to see qualities in the film that aren't there. The characters are one-dimensional and interchangeable, the dialogue is vapid and obvious, and the technical aspects of the cinematography are amateurish. The characters act without motivation as if they are chess pieces being moved on a board by Sofia Coppola. Her direction is highly uninspired and adds nothing to the performances. As for the script, there is extremely little insight into the reasons justifying the girls' suicidal mood. This could have been a haunting character study and statement on teenage angst, instead it lays on the surface like the cellophane wrapping the cassette box. My only praise goes to the editors who were able to cut out enough film so that the total length is only ninety minutes.
Rating:
Summary: Warning - Not for General Consumption
Review: As has peviously been stated, this movie is not for everyone. It's probably not for many. Consider carefully whether you wish to watch this film ... the consequences are extreme. Other reviewers have covered the details, so I won't. If you want answers or clarity, skip it. If you worry about such niceties as plot development, don't trouble your brain. If you want to feel emotional power and complexity the likes of which you will rarely feel, take the plunge. On conclusion you will feel totally drained ... you may not be able to talk for a good while, and, when you can, you may have no idea what to say. The movie is extraordinary. It's quite possible that every single frame - every single moment - every single word - is museum quality art. Your call ... you have been warned.
Rating:
Summary: I couldn't care less
Review: This movie was the worst I've seen in a long time. I didn't care about "the girls", as all they did was parade around and smirk in the camera. James Woods and Kathleen Turner were washed out and lifeless. The dialogue was so limited, that I felt I knew nothing about any of these people and their pointless, wasted lives. This movie came across as sympathizing with spoiled, brainless teens. Why did they kill themselves? I know suburbia is boring, but most kids realize they'll be out of the house in a few years, and put up with it. Yes, Kathleen Turner was the sterotyped over-protective mother in need of psychiatric help, but I still think it was over dramatized and insipid.
Rating:
Summary: Stimulates the Brain and A Whole Lot More!
Review: For me, the best films achieve the greatest emotional impact by blending incredible images with moving music. The Virgin Suicides succeeds wildly here. The music is an important part of this film. Heart's "Crazy On You" and alot of sexual tension combine to make one of the greatest kisses in recent movie history. This movie tries to capture the emotional intensity of teen life (first-love, music, sex (the self-assuredness and the awkwardness), and heartbreak); yet, this isn't a sex, drugs and rock and roll movie. It's adapted from a book and keeps alot of the literary devices. You're left with some deep questions. For example, what does it mean that these women are only represented through the thoughts of men? Why is "Virginity" such an important aspect of this film? This is a visually stunning, intellectually pleasing movie. Oh yeah, and Kirsten Dunst is amazing!
Rating:
Summary: EMPTY FRAMES
Review: This is a film about five attractive teenaged sisters from a rather ordinary middle-class family who all committ suicide. That's the big shocker, the big selling point that the book this movie was based on used to make it a best seller, the big plot innovation. Outside of the five suicides, there really is no plot development. The movie is told from the viewpoint of one of a group of boys, over the vantage point of about 25 years, who like these pretty girls and watch them from across the street. The characters are one-dimensional and cartoonish. It's as though the director would like to make some profound statement about the human condition, and thinks that just having the five suicides, sans any real motive or character or plot development, is enough to carry the day. Sorry. Maybe David Lynch could have made a good movie using this premise, but not Sofia Coppola. Oh, and guess what, the title is a lie. As is amply demonstrated, one of the girls isn't even a virgin.
Rating:
Summary: Great adaptation of the book!
Review: I loved the book The Virgin Suicides by Jeffery Eugenides, and was so happy when I saw how great the movie is. The story is thoughtful and gripping and the movie captures the author's story beautifully and magically. The story centers around mid-1970's teenage boys who are obsessed with their neighbors, the beautiful Lisbon girls. James Woods puts in a wonderful performance as Mr. Lisbon, father to the five daughters who, throughout the course of a year, all commit suicide for subtle reasons that lie throughout the movie. As it unfolds, we discover the hardships of the disfunctional Lisbon family and what drove the girls to commit suicide. Kirsten Dunst also does a stellar job of playing the provocative 15 year-old Lux Lisbon, who enraptures the hearts of all men she meets, including Josh Hartnett.
Rating:
Summary: As good as the book
Review: I loved this movie. I bought the book the day it came out, and since then, I have read it three times. I couldn't believe they finally made a movie based on the book. The story line went exactly as the book. I loved the entire movie. It was one of the deepest movies I've ever watched.
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