25 Cult Movies You Must See Before You Die
18. The Virgin Suicides
Sofia Coppola is now probably a legit big-name director, thanks to her Autumn-Winter romance Lost In Translation appearing towards the top of most “Best Films Of All Time” lists since it was released in 1999. In fact that film was just riffing on the same dreamy, hazy themes and visuals as her directorial debut, The Virgin Suicides.
A faithful adaptation of Jeffrey Eugenidis's novel, the film follows the tragically short lives of a group of young girls in a small suburban town, told through the eyes of the local boys who love them (including Josh Harnett), who act as a sort of Greek chorus. It's not as easy a watch as Lost In Translation, but it's about a million times more interesting.
Depending on how invested you are in Bill Murray copping off with Scarlett Johansson, anyway. Meanwhile The Virgin Suicides occupies a much less celebrated space despite a fantastic electronic score from Air, career-making performances from Harnett and a young Kirsten Dunst, and a sun-kissed look that many have imitated but few have bettered.