The Virgin Suicides

DVD (2000)

This is a movie I probably would not have gone out of my way to see. It's a "chick-flick". Sure, "Virgin Suicides" sounds like a title that would interest a guy, but as soon as a guy would start reading the description, he'd know it isn't as titillating as one might think. And if my wife had picked it out, after reading the description, I'd know she would be in a funk for a few days, so it's not even a good date movie. Or so I first thought.

What changed my mind? A Levi's commercial.

In 2002 there was a Levi's commercial where a guy and a girl run from the police. They push their car in the water, and the guy jumps in to retrieve the French dictionary he forgot. The music in that commercial was haunting, and I wanted to find out more about it. It's "Playground Love" by Air, and is featured in this movie. In fact, the whole soundtrack is peppered with samples.

After I discovered that the song was in this movie, I searched the TV listings to see if it would be on soon. Low and behold, it was on that week! I was in an introspective mood, so I thought I'd watch it -- especially since there was nothing else of interest on that day.

I'm not going to fall over gushing like some of the critics have. It's not the greatest story ever told. The plot is a bit out-there, and the narration is a cheap way of telling a story. But it held my attention, and I spent the next two days thinking about various parts of the movie.

It's a sad movie, and it's a bit convoluted at times. But so is real life. The tragedy that befell the Lisbon sisters very much affected the lives of the boys. Like so many adults, this part of their past will haunt them for the rest of their lives.

I don't know if I want to watch the movie again, but I don't want to forget having watched it once. As convoluted as the plot was, I can't help thinking of how close so many of us may have come to a similar fate.

It took a jeans commercial to get me to watch, and this one is definately one to watch. Watch it on a quiet day, with no distrations. It may stay with you forever, too.