Virgin (2003)reviewed by Benn "Where's the Humanity?" Farrell
"Virgin" is about a girl named Jessie Reynolds who is living a very reckless life as a thief, drug overuser, over drinking and all sorts of other bad things; basically, she's a bad 17-year-old. Then she goes to this function where a guy she likes gets drunk with her and feeds her acid, she throws herself at him and passes out in the process. The dude, suffering from blue b**ls, rapes her, and redresses her, feeling remorse. The girl later trips on the acid, and thinks God came to her and told her she would be giving birth to the second coming of Jesus Christ. Of course, the girl finds herself pregnant and believes she is now a blessed person. Slowly, she cleans up her act and begins to help people, feeling she has premonitions. Later, her schoolmates and church both alienate her and label her a slut and sinner, but she continues to insist she is having a virgin birth. I really thought the concept on this picture was great. I loved the message I THINK the movie was expressing, especially after it appears she gains the power to heal. The story gets more complex into the third act, and the ending was nearly inevitable. For being such a low budget film, the acting was very, very good. Elizabeth Moss as Jessie was very focused, despite having SO MUCH to keep in her head as an actress. Robin Wright Penn plays her mother and was also very good. The picture was shot almost completely hand held, which annoyed the crap out of me. Hand held techniques have their place, but it doesn't fit for EVERY shot. Maybe the production had no money to rent any camera support. Also, there were a few scenes that really through me. There's this husband abused lady that Moss' character picks up and befriends. Eventually, the lady hops in Jessie's car and masturbates her while she's driving. WHY? The scene was so weird, I cannot believe it didn't have SOME meaning to it. The meaning? I have no clue. That's the only real thing I DIDN'T like about the picture. The symbolism was too much and too left field. Maybe it just takes a little more thinking, but the film feels deliberately independent. In lieu of symbolism, the picture has an extremely strong final shot. Overall, I think "Virgin" is worth renting if you're into thinking pictures. If you're not, then this will baffle and seriously annoy you. Benn - Where's the Humanity?
This title was requested by a reader.
This movie is very interesting and very well acted; however, it's dripping with symbolism, much of which went over my head I think.