“We would never be sure of the sequence of events. We argue about it still.“
I’m feeling a little better after my root canal, so, I thought I’d do a quickie post about one of my favourite films, “The Virgin Suicides”. I’m still not a hundred percent better — I still have an epic sinus infection — so please excuse the brevity. Whenever I watch this film, I find it hard to believe that this is Sofia Coppola’s feature-length debut. The writing in this film is so concise, the imagery so ethereal that “The Virgin Suicides” could easily be the work of a veteran filmmaker. But Ms. Sofia Coppola is her father’s daughter, the heiress to a filmmaking dynasty which includes the likes of Jason Schwartzman and Nicolas Cage. The other woman of note in this film — girl, really — is Kirsten Dunst, the “stone fox” in a family of incredibly beautiful sisters. You will find yourself watching this film over and over again. There’s just something about these girls that pulls you back into their short lives and you are unable to let go. If you haven’t seen the entirety of the film, please skip over the rest of this post and the video. As you know if you’ve seen “The Virgin Suicides”, it’s difficult watching this final scene. It’s the debut of young women in society, of girls the same age as the departed sisters — and it’s all twisted in some horrific call-back to the suicide of Lux. Asphyxiation.
Notes: Directed by Sofia Coppola; Produced by Francis Ford Coppola, Julie Costanzo, Dan Halsted, Chris Hanley; Written by Jeffrey Eugenides, Sofia Coppola; Starring James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett; Music by Air; Cinematography by Edward Lachman; Editing by Melissa Kent, James Lyons.
Sasha James, otherwise known as The Final Girl Project, is a twenty-something Torontonian with an unhealthy amount of her week reserved for film and television. She also moonlights as The Doctor's companion on Saturdays. 
I’m sorta sorry to say this, but I’m really not a big fan of Miss Coppola. Word is rampant that she didn’t do as much directing as it seems on this one. TRANSLATION is buoyed by a once-in-a-lifetime performance, and MARIE ANTOINETTE is just dull dull dull.
Pity too, since this flick was so darned good!
I love, love, love SUICIDES and TRANSLATION. But I hate, hate, hate ANTOINETTE. Two fantastic movies out of three is a pretty great batting average in the world of film. SUICIDES and TRANSLATION are damned good.
I LOVE this movie to death! Can I say that without being morbid??
I love the simplicity & calming moments Coppola has in all her movies. I really liked Antoinette. The visual beauty & feeling of emptiness you get from watching it is amazing… But this is by far is my favourite.
I can give ANTOINETTE accolades in cinematography and costumes, but it doesn’t do much with writing or acting.
But, damn, those are some beautiful costumes.
i could watch marie antoinette over and over again for the costumes and props and sets alone… maybe just put it on mute.
yikes i hate marie antoinette (the film). The one image i think of is Kirsten Dunst’s pink converses flashed on the screen!
I really love all of Sophia Coppola’s films (including Marie Antoinette) because of the mood, art direction and the music. Her taste in music is great. Marie Antoinette is seriously stunning.