MovieChat Forums > The Virgin Suicides (2000) Discussion > The book and Mary (spoilers for book)

The book and Mary (spoilers for book)

posted 11 years ago by coney_island_baby
8 replies | jump to latest

I've had this film for years now and always kind of liked it (though i feel like with all Sofia Coppola's films, they are beautiful but lacking something). I recently read the book after reading 'Middlesex' by Jeffery Eugenides, which blew me away. The Virgin Suicides is one of the most incredible books I've ever read, completely surpassing the film. There is so much more depth that a film has no hope of unearthing, even though it is very faithful.

I do wonder, however, why when such lengths were taken to keep the movie true to the novel, that they leave out Mary's failed suicide attempt? She doesn't die in the oven, but is resuscitated and kills herself a month later with an overdose. This was such a painful part of the story--imagining her loneliness and desperation--I wondered why it was cut?

[–] ilahilda 11 years ago

I just skimmed through the book too, I guess her sister's death was too much for Mary to take! I also read that Lux went to the doctor since she thought she might be pregnant, and it was discovered she contracted herpes!

[–] coney_island_baby 11 years ago

Mary attempts suicide the same night as all her sisters die, but doesn't quite 'make it', so I don't think it was a case her her sister's deaths being too much for her, rather that she was completing what she started.

Yes, the Lux thing is interesting--she fakes a burst appendix because it's the only way she can get out of the house to the doctor. I can see why they skipped that part in the movie though, as it doesn't tell us anything we don't already know.

[–] lethalblonde 11 years ago

I wondered that too, and thought it was probably just the fact that it makes a much bigger impact for them all to be lost at once. It makes tying up the end much easier too--there's a sense of all-at-once finality.

Never settle with words what you can accomplish with a flamethrower.

[–] reeseslightning 9 years ago

I know this was almost two years ago but I'm watching this on Netflix and they might have cut that part out because there was already a failed suicide attempt from Cecelia and the writers felt like it would be repetitive to do it again with another character.

Make him do it again - Ilithyia
The voice says I'm almost out of minutes - Cas

[–] LetThemEatCake01 8 years ago

It wasn't in it because of time.

[–] mama21 7 years ago

I'm not entirely surer heard it right, but think Lux is heard talking w her mother when they are locked up and says she's sure she's sick and the mother replies "you're not sick" or something about not going to a doctor. Did anyone else hear this or was I imagining it?

[–] mama21 7 years ago

[–] Nedithvm 7 years ago

Lux: We're suffocating
Mom: You're safe here
Lux: I can't breathe in here.