The Virgin Suicides - 4 stars out of 10

The Virgin Suicides - 4 stars out of 10

"The Virgin Suicides" is an interesting 1970's period piece that screams “indie film.”  Unfortunately, it also screams “Lifetime Original Movie.”  The story itself is very interesting but the execution often misses its mark with melodramatic moments.  The acting of Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett, James Woods, and Kathleen Turner is just good, not particularly standing out but getting the job done.  The best acting of the film is Giovanni Ribisi’s narration.  The script takes you from point A to point B but the film doesn’t really feel as if it goes anywhere.  I wish that they would have incorporated the boys a little bit more but I do applaud the conclusion of the story as a mystery.  In spite of the severe content, much of the movie does not carry an air of drama; instead, it just feels like time passing.  I enjoyed this story and its surprises but I expected more emotion and empathy as the film flashed before my eyes without much impact.