Moss is carrying a child that's the product of a rape she doesn't remember. Being from a religiously weird family, she decides to claim that it is God's child. Weird ending...super weird.
13 Reviews
Creepy Conception
jeroduptown4 February 2022
Interesting Ideas but Loses Focus
MystifiedMe27 August 2008
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this movie with no prior knowledge of plot or reviews other than what was printed on the DVD case. What early on seemed to hold a lot of promise, and some thought-provoking ideas, ended up being muddled and disappointing. Elizabeth Moss acts her heart out as Jessie, the smoking, drinking, shoplifting daughter of born-again Christians. Jessie can not conform to her family's moral dictates, or to the traditional expectations of what is or is not appropriate behavior for a young girl. She wants to be special, and she is. There are things that she "knows" through psychic inner vision. And when the boy she loves rapes her while she is passed out, Jessie "knows" that she is pregnant, but not that she had sex. Instead she "knows" that God told her she is carrying the next Christ. The movie then explores how Jessie, her family, and others in her circle of fellow humans deal with the situation.
Some of the best scenes/ideas include: Jessie declaring that being the mother of Christ isn't special enough; being Christ is. Jessie's sister's anger because God would choose the less righteous Jessie to talk to rather than her own pious self. Jessie comforting and dancing with her grieving mother (although Robin Wright Penn really overdoes the tears and sobbing ). The way Jessie pushes those she loves away by loving them too openly and aggressively.
Some of the scenes/ideas that detracted from the story: The crazy lady wailing for her lost babies turns up about five times more often than necessary. The lesbian sex scene seemed thrown in for no good reason, unless to underscore the heavy handed depiction of most all the males in the film as slimy spineless threats. The naked townsfolk gathered in a hand-holding circle in the water to celebrate a birth, was just embarrassing.
Overall the movie held my interest. The pace never dragged. The camera was brutally unflattering in it's close-ups showing every wart and flaw. The production was gritty, never slick. If only the touches of feminist preachiness had been left out, it would have held together better.
Some of the best scenes/ideas include: Jessie declaring that being the mother of Christ isn't special enough; being Christ is. Jessie's sister's anger because God would choose the less righteous Jessie to talk to rather than her own pious self. Jessie comforting and dancing with her grieving mother (although Robin Wright Penn really overdoes the tears and sobbing ). The way Jessie pushes those she loves away by loving them too openly and aggressively.
Some of the scenes/ideas that detracted from the story: The crazy lady wailing for her lost babies turns up about five times more often than necessary. The lesbian sex scene seemed thrown in for no good reason, unless to underscore the heavy handed depiction of most all the males in the film as slimy spineless threats. The naked townsfolk gathered in a hand-holding circle in the water to celebrate a birth, was just embarrassing.
Overall the movie held my interest. The pace never dragged. The camera was brutally unflattering in it's close-ups showing every wart and flaw. The production was gritty, never slick. If only the touches of feminist preachiness had been left out, it would have held together better.
A NEW CLASSIC
napoleon_14th6 September 2004
Like Charles Laughton's 1955 classic, The Night of the Hunter, VIRGIN is a unique and powerful film that manages to steer a magical course from the disturbing to the luminous. Director Deborah Kampmeier deftly weaves together strands of earthy reality and dreamlike allegory to tell the story of Jesse (in an unforgettable performance by Elizabeth Moss), a 'bad' girl whose personal journey takes her from misfortune and misunderstanding into a kind of mystical transcendence fueled by supernatural courage and intuition. Ably supported by a strong cast that includes Robin Wright Penn and Daphne Rubin-Vega, Moss carries this film. What a fortunate melding of actor and director! With her movie's Gothic, horror-film texture (byproduct of a budget that probably wouldn't even cover Mel Gibson's trailer) and an allegorical, magical-realism theme, Kampmeier tells a story that you won't soon forget. She is a powerful storyteller and a new voice to be reckoned with.
If, as I have heard, this is Kampmeier's first film then I can scarcely wait for the next.
If, as I have heard, this is Kampmeier's first film then I can scarcely wait for the next.
A lighthearted easy going semi-coherent journey through the birth canal of a lesbian
e_robertg23 April 2005
Warning: Spoilers
This is one movie that should have been aborted at its earliest trimester. I specifically found the uncomfortable lesbian scene, the half conscious acting, the inane babble of Robin Wright Penn in the bonus features, the overly long commentary of the actresses and the pleasantly random sequence of nudity from the local crazy woman and Baptist church congregation that culminated into an all nude action circle jerk specifically pleasing. I must mention the bonus material once again. If you find yourself nauseous from the opening shots, I recommend you go to the bonus footage and watch as the director tries to explain this maddening concoction. I mean seriously I was left speechless. My mind couldn't grasp that I was actually viewing something such as what lay on my television screen (you'll see what I mean towards the end of the Virgin Voices section). Other than that kids, I recommend this flick if you're currently wearing thick framed glasses, clutching a Starbucks latte, wearing a thrift store special and no deodorant.
Horrible this disgusted me
woahphoto10 October 2007
Warning: Spoilers
I find this movie to be disgusting. How can you be moved by a child getting raped ? How is that moving that yet another movie is patriarchal and that we as women are some piece of meat to get raped. That somehow is touching. Just because after she finds she is pregnant she struggles, wants love , and wants her family to believe her. That moves you but not the fact that she gets raped twice moves you? I wish that this review would have said terrible rape scene . I would have never watched it in the first place. I mean really how is this movie brilliant? Im sick of the women getting raped and it almost ruining there life. Where is a movie where the women wins?
A powerful film
openeyes11 March 2004
Warning: Spoilers
High school student, Jessie, the black sheep of a religious family, lives only for cigarettes, Jack Daniels and her crush on a boy beyond her reach named Shane. One night during a dance, Shane walks Jessie out into the woods, and, after rendering her unconscious with drugs and alcohol, rapes her. Jessie awakens with no memory of the attack. When she finds herself pregnant, she believes it to be an immaculate conception and that she will bear the second coming -- a delusion which infuriates not only her family, but the entire town.
Although the subject matter seems deliberately provocative, the film itself is strangely unsensational because the characters and their actions go beyond cinematic artifice into a realm of deep emotional resonance. Elizabeth Moss completely inhabits the character of Jessie, playing the sad, needy lost soul with an almost painful honesty. I believed her every second. However, as good as Moss' performance is, it would have been impossible without writer/director Deborah Kampmeier. Her script is rich in symbolism and theme, and kept me wondering, and, indeed, worrying about the outcome. Her naturalistic, shakey video style also gave the film a compelling sense of immediacy.
My only problem is that Kampmeier doesn't give her male characters the same depth as her female ones. For the most part, the men are presented as little more than real or potential abusers of one sort or another. Still, this "flaw" doesn't ultimately diminish the film. It is, after all, essentially a film about women, not men, and it does its job well. If it weren't for the film's well-deserved R-rating, it could well serve as a cautionary tale for teens about the dangers of date rape.
An excellent first effort by Ms. Kampmeier.
Although the subject matter seems deliberately provocative, the film itself is strangely unsensational because the characters and their actions go beyond cinematic artifice into a realm of deep emotional resonance. Elizabeth Moss completely inhabits the character of Jessie, playing the sad, needy lost soul with an almost painful honesty. I believed her every second. However, as good as Moss' performance is, it would have been impossible without writer/director Deborah Kampmeier. Her script is rich in symbolism and theme, and kept me wondering, and, indeed, worrying about the outcome. Her naturalistic, shakey video style also gave the film a compelling sense of immediacy.
My only problem is that Kampmeier doesn't give her male characters the same depth as her female ones. For the most part, the men are presented as little more than real or potential abusers of one sort or another. Still, this "flaw" doesn't ultimately diminish the film. It is, after all, essentially a film about women, not men, and it does its job well. If it weren't for the film's well-deserved R-rating, it could well serve as a cautionary tale for teens about the dangers of date rape.
An excellent first effort by Ms. Kampmeier.
A depressing and no interest movie
mihaipp26 March 2005
After watching this movie I cannot tell more that I'm sorry for the money I give to buy it ( approx. 2 $ - not licensed ) and the time I've spent to watch it. Advice: don't make my mistake again!!! I have to tell you more , just give it away... The action is about a girl , some sort of unadapted to society with stupid young things , who doesn't believe in god but after she was raped she is thinking that she's having the god's child and so on... the other characters are in the movie just to fill it in . The budget for this movie must have been about 5000 $ or even the so called actress's been paying for her role in the movie. I could not believe before seeing this movie that can be made so stupid things. The comments from this site IMDb were extremely good for this movie , so be afraid to buy it after that.
Amazing Commentary On Religion and Society
fake_plastic_wings20 June 2005
"Virgin" has to be one of the most simple, yet heart wrenching movies I have seen in years. Because of it's low budget, the story and characters really helps the movie flow.
Jessie is a small-town girl, who loves cigarettes and JD, with no religion, and a confused family. When she wakes up after a dance in the middle of the woods with no recollection of sex, Jessie is suddenly convinced she is carrying the child of god. With nobody supporting her, Jessie is forced to try and convince her god fearing town with her visions and instinct.
I cried through the last half hour. It may not have been visually stunning, but the story and characters made up for it. The director really brought up a good question, and makes the viewer ask themselves, "would we have believed Mary now?" I recommend this movie to anyone, religious or not.
Jessie is a small-town girl, who loves cigarettes and JD, with no religion, and a confused family. When she wakes up after a dance in the middle of the woods with no recollection of sex, Jessie is suddenly convinced she is carrying the child of god. With nobody supporting her, Jessie is forced to try and convince her god fearing town with her visions and instinct.
I cried through the last half hour. It may not have been visually stunning, but the story and characters made up for it. The director really brought up a good question, and makes the viewer ask themselves, "would we have believed Mary now?" I recommend this movie to anyone, religious or not.
Difficult to watch, but ultimately rewarding
ThrownMuse15 March 2005
Warning: Spoilers
Jessie (Elisabeth Moss, who played "Torch" in Girl, Interrupted) is a teenage girl living in a small-town with a large Born-Again Christian population. She fills her misfit existence with crutches like Jack Daniels, ciggies, and a night newspaper delivery job. She blacks out at a school dance and is raped by the boy she likes. She awakens the next day with no recollection of those events, but feeling she is pregnant, based on a strange dream she had. Knowing that she is a virgin, she believes that it was immaculate conception and she is carrying the child of God. She professes this to her family, and soon the entire town, and they all turn against her.
"Virgin" isn't a straight up horror film, but it sure feels like one in its narrative structure. This is a film that is extremely difficult to watch. Witnessing the tragic events that happen to this young girl is nothing short of excruciating. When thinking about the movie in retrospect, when removed from these acts of hatred and violence, it is easier to see it is quite an excellent film. The acting is outstanding, especially by Moss, who was nominated for the ISA Best Actress. The messages are strong but not heavy-handed. The movie is about an outcast girl who finds herself in crisis after crisis, but finds strength from within (and in her concept of God) to rise above her tormentors. It is very rich in symbolism, and sometimes this works, but sometimes it becomes visually overwhelming. Another problem is that some of the characters motives aren't particularly clear--especially the teenage boys in the film. While it is easy to see that this is Jessie's story, the film would have benefited from suggesting why these boys behave the way they do.
But overall, "Virgin" is an amazing film that is very difficult to watch, but ultimately worthwhile and moving. It is shocking that this was apparently made for around $50,000. If you've seen the trailer, it looks like a poorly shot film on DV. This is misleading, as this is a beautifully shot film. Co-stars Robin Wright Penn and Daphne Rubin-Vega.
My Rating: 7.5/10.
"Virgin" isn't a straight up horror film, but it sure feels like one in its narrative structure. This is a film that is extremely difficult to watch. Witnessing the tragic events that happen to this young girl is nothing short of excruciating. When thinking about the movie in retrospect, when removed from these acts of hatred and violence, it is easier to see it is quite an excellent film. The acting is outstanding, especially by Moss, who was nominated for the ISA Best Actress. The messages are strong but not heavy-handed. The movie is about an outcast girl who finds herself in crisis after crisis, but finds strength from within (and in her concept of God) to rise above her tormentors. It is very rich in symbolism, and sometimes this works, but sometimes it becomes visually overwhelming. Another problem is that some of the characters motives aren't particularly clear--especially the teenage boys in the film. While it is easy to see that this is Jessie's story, the film would have benefited from suggesting why these boys behave the way they do.
But overall, "Virgin" is an amazing film that is very difficult to watch, but ultimately worthwhile and moving. It is shocking that this was apparently made for around $50,000. If you've seen the trailer, it looks like a poorly shot film on DV. This is misleading, as this is a beautifully shot film. Co-stars Robin Wright Penn and Daphne Rubin-Vega.
My Rating: 7.5/10.
A film that reverberates long after the movie ends
mjk51427 August 2004
I was fortunate enough to catch this film with a friend at the East Hampton film festival almost one year ago. "Virgin" is not always an easy film to watch, but it is one that courageously expresses both the despair and hope of adolescence and young adulthood.
"Virgin" did not entertain me, it moved me. Writer/Director Deborah Kampmeier immediately takes her audience into the deep end. She does not stay in safe and shallow waters, but apparently believes that our hearts and minds will expand to take it all in. This belief inspired me to do so.
Ms. Kampmeier's symbolism is unsettling and brilliant. If you are willing to think and feel (and have the heart and courage to do so), you will not be disappointed. Even now, almost one year later, I am still moved and reminded of images in her film that express the human struggle and condition.
As the mother of two teenage daughters (and two adolescent sons), I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to share "VIRGIN" with them. Although the film is too intense for my boys to see at this time, I am relieved to be able to share a film with my daughters that does not focus on the troubled but "very sexy" longed for experiences (of most teenage girls) more evident in a film such as "THIRTEEN", but rather truly addresses the typical teen's need to be seen and loved through a heart wrenchingly honest and believable performance by her main character, Elizabeth Moss.
This film reverberates long after you leave the theatre.
"Virgin" did not entertain me, it moved me. Writer/Director Deborah Kampmeier immediately takes her audience into the deep end. She does not stay in safe and shallow waters, but apparently believes that our hearts and minds will expand to take it all in. This belief inspired me to do so.
Ms. Kampmeier's symbolism is unsettling and brilliant. If you are willing to think and feel (and have the heart and courage to do so), you will not be disappointed. Even now, almost one year later, I am still moved and reminded of images in her film that express the human struggle and condition.
As the mother of two teenage daughters (and two adolescent sons), I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to share "VIRGIN" with them. Although the film is too intense for my boys to see at this time, I am relieved to be able to share a film with my daughters that does not focus on the troubled but "very sexy" longed for experiences (of most teenage girls) more evident in a film such as "THIRTEEN", but rather truly addresses the typical teen's need to be seen and loved through a heart wrenchingly honest and believable performance by her main character, Elizabeth Moss.
This film reverberates long after you leave the theatre.
lose your virginity again and again
ajn21811 August 2004
Virgin is a touching movie that shows the path of a rebellious young woman who regains her sense of self worth and inner strength through coping with an extremely traumatic experience. I went to this film thinking the plot was intriguing: a girl who is raped while she's passed out, discovers she's pregnant, and with no memory of the rape-thinking she's still a virgin- assumes it to be immaculate conception. Here's a girl who's no victim, she works a night job delivering papers and even cares for an older woman with an abusive husband. Yet she's no cat woman or uma thurman in kill bill. In short, she's a female lead women can relate to.
This film is worth seeing not only for its dramatic merit; it is also a piece of simplistic yet beautiful imagery. There is an artistry to the scenes filmed in nature that is so rarely seen in low budget films. Birds act for the camera, water flows throughout scenes, and the landscape opens up to reveal the natural world as a picturesque backdrop to highlight the acting. The acting itself is touching and spellbinding. Elisabeth Moss, playing the lead role of Jessie, was well worth watching as she acted simply with great poise but with a turmoil of emotion showing behind her eyes.
See this movie! Lose your virginity! Have something to talk about! -ajn218
This film is worth seeing not only for its dramatic merit; it is also a piece of simplistic yet beautiful imagery. There is an artistry to the scenes filmed in nature that is so rarely seen in low budget films. Birds act for the camera, water flows throughout scenes, and the landscape opens up to reveal the natural world as a picturesque backdrop to highlight the acting. The acting itself is touching and spellbinding. Elisabeth Moss, playing the lead role of Jessie, was well worth watching as she acted simply with great poise but with a turmoil of emotion showing behind her eyes.
See this movie! Lose your virginity! Have something to talk about! -ajn218
A strong Film that will stick with you
jenlvsgarth5 May 2004
A film that will stick with you for days
Virgin is a strong film,amazing acting and so real. There are tough scenes to get through but all very realistic and will shock you. I agree with "openeyes" that the female characters were the only real strong ones. the 2 or 3 male characters in the film were not as well revealed and left you wondering about some of there actions. I felt the women showed everything and brought everything to the table making 4 real strong characters in the store.
the best performance goes to Elisabeth Moss, she was awesome.
If you enjoy a powerful story that will keep you thinking for days to come.This edgy art film is one not to be missed.
JEN
Virgin is a strong film,amazing acting and so real. There are tough scenes to get through but all very realistic and will shock you. I agree with "openeyes" that the female characters were the only real strong ones. the 2 or 3 male characters in the film were not as well revealed and left you wondering about some of there actions. I felt the women showed everything and brought everything to the table making 4 real strong characters in the store.
the best performance goes to Elisabeth Moss, she was awesome.
If you enjoy a powerful story that will keep you thinking for days to come.This edgy art film is one not to be missed.
JEN
A story about and for all women
lopdavis15 June 2005
This is a deeply disturbing and emotionally taxing film that every young (and old) woman needs to see. It is one of the few films I have ever seen that is ACTUALLY told from the voice and perspective of the female mind. While it is very low-budge, you get used to the style after about 15 minutes or so. If you are a man who wants to know more about the feminine spirit or a woman who has never properly questioned the nature of our lives in a society that actively oppresses female creativity, identity, and strength.... this film will change your life if you have your mind opened to it. Don't expect fulfillment- only expect to be forced to think harder than you probably ever have before by a film.
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