Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett in 'The Virgin Suicides' in 2000.
In the year 2000, Kirsten Dunst and Josh Hartnett starred in the hauntingly beautiful film The Virgin Suicides, a project that marked Sofia Coppola’s feature directorial debut. This year, in commemoration of the movie’s 25th anniversary, Dunst and Coppola reunited at a special screening held at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles on Sunday, June 1, delving into poignant memories and the intense emotions evoked by the film.
The celebrated 43-year-old actress and Oscar nominee spoke candidly about her experiences as the charismatic yet conflicted Lux Lisbon, a character worlds apart from herself at that tender age. Recalling her initial reaction to the script of the compelling psychological romantic drama, Dunst described the internal turmoil she felt as a 16-year-old, stating, “It was a lot of things that I was feeling that I hadn’t expressed. They were very private.”
The film showcases a pivotal scene where Lux, in a spontaneous surge of boldness, kisses Hartnett’s Trip Fontaine after a date at her home. Describing the night of filming, Dunst admitted, “I was worried about kissing Josh in the car and making out with boys on the roof,” but Sofia Coppola created a comfortable environment by shooting the scene abstractly, alleviating her concerns.
Dunst, playing the vivacious Lux, navigates teenage romance with Hartnett’s character, portraying a memorable scene where Lux surges atop Trip in his car after a date, leaving a lasting impact before sneaking back inside under the watchful eye of her strict parents. “That was a really memorable night,” Dunst recalled. “I was a very innocent 16-year-old, and jumping on Josh in a car was terrifying.” She humorously recounted moments of embarrassment, including when Hartnett’s wig fell off, and a playful revelation of her accidentally biting him during the scene.
Reflecting on the genuine nature of the experience, Dunst expressed how the realness of the timing instilled a palpable anxiety both in acting and observing it unfold on screen.
To capture the ambiance of the era, Coppola and Dunst played Heart’s “Crazy on You” during the scene’s shoot, a choice that proved to be advantageous. “The song helped,” Dunst mentioned, noting the importance of music in carving the scene’s emotional depth, to which Coppola concurred, “I think a lot of scenes, it helps to play the music.”
Released initially at the Cannes Film Festival in 1999 and subsequently in select U.S. theaters in April 2000, The Virgin Suicides continues to resonate with audiences. Adapted from Jeffrey Eugenides’ novel, it captures the tragic tale of the Lisbon sisters in 1970s Michigan, whose strict Catholic upbringing leads to a sequence of devastating events.
Audiences can still explore the enigmatic allure of The Virgin Suicides, available for rental on platforms like Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and YouTube. To keep abreast of such captivating stories, consider subscribing to PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter. Dunst and Coppola’s reflections lend new dimensions to a film that remains a cultural touchstone, evoking both nostalgia and an enduring sense of intrigue.
